Operating method for communication profile and electronic device supporting the same

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first communication module configured to establish a communication channel to an external electronic device based on wired communications or short-range communications, a second communication module that supports a communication service provided via a base station; a control module configured to obtain a communication profile required for operating the second communication module using the external electronic device connected through the first communication module, and a memory configured to store the communication profile.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/160,620, filed on Oct. 15, 2018, and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,531,280 on Jan. 7, 2020, which is a ContinuationApplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/822,935, filed onNov. 27, 2017, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,111,087 on Oct. 23, 2018,which is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/950,996, filed on Nov. 24, 2015, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,832,638 on Nov. 28, 2017 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)to Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2014-0164688, filed in theKorean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 24, 2014, and Korean PatentApplication Serial No. 10-2014-0186446, filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Dec. 22, 2014, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a communication profileoperating technology.

2. Description of the Related Art

A communication profile must be stored or installed in an electronicdevice in order for an electronic device to use a communication servicevia a base station. A user may visit an agency designated by a specificcommunication service provider to buy an electronic device and alsodownload a communication profile to an electronic device for operating acommunication service.

As electronic devices are sold by various sellers, a user may purchasean electronic device through various channels. However, since acommunication profile is not pre-stored in an electronic device providedthrough certain channels, a communication service may not be immediatelyavailable upon receiving a newly-purchased electronic device. To use acommunication service, the user may visit an agency or store designatedby a specific communication service provider and may register theelectronic device. However, this process may be an inconvenience for theuser.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, as aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a communication profile operating method foreasily obtaining a communication profile of an electronic device usinganother electronic device, and an electronic device supporting the same.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice is provided. The electronic device includes a first communicationmodule configured to establish a communication channel to an externalelectronic device on the basis of wired communications or short-rangecommunications; a second communication module that supports acommunication service provided via a base station; a control module forconfigured to obtain a communication profile required for operating thesecond communication module using the external electronic deviceconnected through the first communication module, and a memory (e.g., aneUICC, a secure storage area, or the like) for storing the communicationprofile obtained.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method foroperating an electronic device is provided. The method includesestablishing a communication channel to an external electronic device;obtaining a communication profile required for operating a secondcommunication module that supports a communication service provided viaa base station using the external electronic device connected; andstoring the communication profile obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments ofthe present invention will be more apparent from the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication profile operatingenvironment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a firstelectronic device in relation to a communication profile according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a second control module according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of a second controlmodule according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a secondelectronic device in relation to a communication profile according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for operating a secondelectronic device in relation to a communication profile according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using acommunication function of a second electronic device in relation to acommunication profile according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using a UIfunction of a second electronic device in relation to a communicationprofile according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals among devicesrelated to a communication profile according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating another example of a flow of signalsamong devices related to a communication profile according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using a relayfunction of a second electronic device in relation to a communicationprofile according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals based on informationprocessing of a second electronic device in relation to a communicationprofile according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using a securechannel establishing function of a second electronic device in relationto a communication profile according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using acommunication function and a UI function of a second electronic devicein relation to a communication profile according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a provisioning UI of afirst electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of a provisioning UIof a first electronic device according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen UI of a secondelectronic device related to provisioning according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited to specific embodiments describedherein, but rather includes various modifications, equivalents and/oralternatives of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Regardingdescription of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals mayrefer to the same or similar elements.

The terms “have”, “may have”, “include”, “may include” or “comprise”, asused herein, indicate the existence of a corresponding feature (e.g., anumber, a function, an operation, or an element) but do not exclude theexistence of an additional feature.

Herein, the terms “A or B”, “at least one of A and/or B”, or “one ormore of A and/or B” include all possible combinations of the itemslisted together. For example, the term “A or B”, “at least one of A andB”, or “at least one of A or B” include the cases of (1) including atleast one A, (2) including at least one B, and (3) including at leastone A and at least one B.

The terms “first”, “second”, or the like are used herein to modifyvarious elements regardless of order and/or priority, but do not limitthe elements. For example, “a first user device” and “a second userdevice” may indicate different user devices regardless of order orpriority. For example, without departing the scope of the presentdisclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element andvice versa.

When a certain element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being“operatively or communicatively coupled with/to” or “connected to”another element (e.g., a second element), the certain element may becoupled to the other element directly or via another element (e.g., athird element). However, when a certain element (e.g., a first element)is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” toanother element (e.g., a second element), there may be no interveningelement (e.g., a third element) between the element and the otherelement.

The term “configured (or set) to” may be interchangeably used with theterms, for example, “suitable for”, “having the capacity to”, “designedto”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”. The term “configured (orset) to” may not necessarily have the meaning of “specifically designedto”. In some cases, the term “device configured to” perform a functionindicates that the device may perform the function alone or togetherwith other devices or components. For example, the term “processorconfigured (or set) to perform A, B, and C” represents a dedicatedprocessor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a correspondingoperation, or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or an applicationprocessor) for executing at least one software program stored in amemory device to perform a corresponding operation.

The terminology used herein does not limit the present disclosure but ismerely used for describing specific various embodiments. The terms of asingular form include plural forms unless otherwise specified. The termsused herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the samemeanings as understood by those skilled in the art. Commonly-used termsdefined in a dictionary are to be interpreted as having definitions thatare the same as or similar to contextual meanings defined in the relatedart, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalsense unless otherwise defined explicitly. In certain cases, even theterms defined herein should not be interpreted in a manner that excludesvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The term “user” used herein refers to a person who uses anelectronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificialintelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication profile operatingenvironment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a communication profile operating environment 10includes a first electronic device 100, a second electronic device 200,a network 262, a server device 300, and a service device 400.

In the communication profile operating environment 10, the firstelectronic device 100 sends a request to the server device 300 tosupport communication service subscription, using at least one of acommunication function or a user interface (UI) (e.g., a screen UI, avoice UI, a touch UI, a gesture UI, or the like) of the secondelectronic device 200. As described above, the communication profileoperating environment 10 supports the first electronic device 100, whichhas limited communication functions and/or a limited screen UI, so thatthe first electronic device 100 is able to obtain a communicationprofile from the server device 300 using at least one of thecommunication function or the screen UI of the second electronic device200. In this operation, the server device 300 generates a communicationprofile (e.g., an MNO profile) on the basis of provisioning-relatedinformation and transfers the generated communication profile to thefirst electronic device 100. The first electronic device 100 performsregistration with the service device 400 and performs communicationservice operations using the received communication profile. Although,in the example according to FIG. 1, that the first electronic device 100receives the communication profile via the second electronic device 200,various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.For example, the first electronic device 100 may only use the screen UIof the second electronic device 200, and the electronic device 100 maydirectly access the server device 300 regarding the communicationfunction. Alternatively, the first electronic device 100 may only usethe communication function of the second electronic device 200, and maynot use the screen UI thereof.

The first electronic device 100 includes a first communication modulefor communicating with the second electronic device 200 and a secondcommunication module for using a communication service based on a basestation. The first electronic device 100 discovers the second electronicdevice 200 and may establish a communication channel thereto accordingto a user input or a set schedule, and performs acquisition of acommunication profile using at least one of the communication functionor the screen UI of the second electronic device 200. Here, the firstelectronic device 100 may store a provisioning profile for enablingaccess to the server device 300 in advance. Alternatively, the firstelectronic device 100 may perform a procedure for obtaining thecommunication profile via the second electronic device 200, without theprovisioning profile. The provisioning profile includes informationrequired for the first electronic device 100 to access the server device300 before obtaining the communication profile. The first electronicdevice 100 may provide, to the second electronic device 200,provisioning-related information including address information anddevice information of the first electronic device 100 (e.g., ansubscription manager secure routing (SM-SR) identifier (ID) (SRID), anembedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) ID (EID), aninternational mobile equipment identify (IMEI), device locationinformation, device manufacturer information, or the like).

The first electronic device 100 may be, for example, a wearable-typeelectronic device (e.g., a watch-type, wrist wearable-type,necklace-type, belt-type, or head-mounted-type device). Alternatively,the first electronic device 100 may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) devicelimited in terms of screen UI. The first electronic device 100 may havea large screen. The first electronic device 100 may be a companiondevice of the second electronic device 200.

The first electronic device 100 may be in a provisioning performingstate related to installation (or download) of a communication profileor a normal function performing state for performing a user function(e.g., a file playback function, a file search function, or the like)supportable by the first electronic device 100. According to variousembodiments of the present disclosure, when being turned on or operatinga provisioning manager, the first electronic device 100 may checkwhether a communication profile that is available for a current locationis installed within an embedded universal integrated circuit card(eUICC), a secure element, an embedded subscription identity module(eSIM), or the like of the first electronic device 100, and maydetermine which one of a provisioning procedure and a generationfunction performing procedure the first electronic device 100 shouldoperate, according to whether the communication profile is present.

If there is no communication profile available for the current location,the first electronic device 100 may perform a provisioning procedure fordownloading and installing the communication profile in order to receivea network service. Here, the first electronic device 100 may determinewhether provisioning support through the second electronic device 200 isrequired. If the provisioning through the second electronic device 200is required, the first electronic device 100 may output aprovisioning-related UI. In outputting the provisioning-related UI, thefirst electronic device 100 may provide a menu for allowing a user totrigger connection to the external electronic device through short-rangecommunications supported by the first electronic device 100, or mayoutput a specified image or specified code information for performingthe provisioning procedure.

If there is a communication profile available for the current location,the first electronic device 100 performs a normal corresponding function(e.g., a communication service based on a base station, a file playbackfunction, an imaging function, or the like) supported by the firstelectronic device 100. When performing the normal function, the firstelectronic device 100 may register one or more communication profiles,from among one or more available communication profiles, in a servicedevice, based on a user configuration and current location informationof the first electronic device 100.

The second electronic device 200 may store a communication profile inadvance (i.e., before receiving a request for a profile from the firstelectronic device 100). Accordingly, the second electronic device 200may be able to access the server device 300 and the service device 400.The second electronic device 200 includes a third communication modulefor establishing a communication channel to the first electronic device100 and a fourth communication module for a connection to the serverdevice 300 or the service device 400. When connected to the firstelectronic device 100, the second electronic device 200 supports atleast one of a screen UI or a communication function related toacquisition of a communication profile by the first electronic device100 according to a request of the first electronic device 100 or a userinput to or a characteristic of the first electronic device 100. Thesecond electronic device 200 may be, for example, a portable terminaldevice or a smartphone.

The second electronic device 200 handles a provisioning support function(or a provisioning support mode) related to the provisioning procedureof the first electronic device 100. For example, the second electronicdevice 200 receives a provisioning support request message from anexternal electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device 100)regardless of whether an eSIM or an eUICC is installed. Upon receivingthe provisioning support request message, the second electronic device200 activates the provisioning support function (or switch into theprovisioning support mode) for supporting provisioning of the firstelectronic device 100. As the provisioning support function isactivated, the second electronic device 200 provides a provisioningsupport screen related to execution and subscription of a specificapplication or access to a specific webpage using an accessible network,while performing the provisioning support function related to the firstelectronic device 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondelectronic device 200 transfers, to a network, information of the secondelectronic device 200 (e.g., provider information, a phone number forreceiving a short message service (SMS) message, information on aservice being used, a rate payment system, a device location, or thelike) together with the provisioning-related information received fromthe first electronic device 100 according to a situation. In thismanner, the second electronic device 200 provides, to a user, a SIMprofile subscription procedure and provisioning procedure of the firstelectronic device 100 and a service subscription procedure associatedwith the second electronic device 200.

As the provisioning support function is activated, the second electronicdevice 200 may receive, from a provisioning server device 303, a message(e.g., an SMS type-2 message or an SMS-point-to-point (PP) datadownload) for establishing a secure channel. According to an embodimentof the present disclosure, a control module (or a provisioning managermodule) of the second electronic device 200 transfers a message receivedby the control module to the first electronic device 100 withouttransferring the message to a UICC (or an eUICC) of the control module.In this manner, the second electronic device 200 establishes a securechannel between the provisioning server device 303 and the firstelectronic device 100 that is performing the provisioning function. Thesecond electronic device 200 allows a corresponding communicationprofile to be safely downloaded to the first electronic device 100 (oran eUICC 150) through the established secure channel.

Upon receiving a provisioning completion message (e.g., a provisioningsupport mode inactivation request message) from the first electronicdevice 100, which performs provisioning, the second electronic device200 which performs the provisioning support function may organizeprovisioning-support-related context that has been being managedinternally and may inactivate the provisioning support function. Here,the deactivation of the provisioning support function may be performedin response to a request from the first electronic device 100, a requestfrom the provisioning server device 303, or expiration of a timer in thecontrol module. If a message (e.g., a message for establishing a securechannel (e.g., SMS type-2 or SMS-PP data download)) is received whilethe provisioning support function is inactivated, the second electronicdevice 200 does not transfer the message to the first electronic device100, but instead transfers the message to a UICC (e.g., the UICC oreUICC of the second electronic device 200) so that the message isprocessed. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,the second electronic device 200 supports execution of other variouselectronic device functions such as a file playback function, a filesearch function, a voice search function, a call function, or the like,while performing the provisioning support function for the firstelectronic device 100.

The network 262 supports establishment of a communication channelbetween the first electronic device 100 and the server device 300.Furthermore, the network 262 may support establishment of acommunication channel between the second electronic device 200 and theserver device 300. The network 262 may correspond to a network resourceelement for supporting establishment of a communication channel betweenthe first electronic device 100 and the service device 400. To this end,the network 262 may include at least one communication module forsupporting various communication methods.

The server device 300 supports communication service subscription of thefirst electronic device 100. For example, the server device 300 mayprovide, to the first electronic device 100 or the second electronicdevice 200 connected thereto, subscription support information aboutselection of a rate payment system desired by the user of the firstelectronic device 100, selection of an option, selection of a dataamount, and selection of a service associated with another electronicdevice. The server device 300 includes, for example, a subscriptionsupport server device 301 for providing subscription support informationand collecting subscription request information corresponding theretoand the provisioning server device 303 for generating and providing acommunication profile. The subscription support server device 301 mayreceive provisioning-related information of the first electronic device100 via the second electronic device 200, or may receive theprovisioning-related information from the first electronic device 100.Here, the provisioning-related information may include information onaccess to the server device 300, unique identification information suchas an eUICC ID or unique identification information of the firstelectronic device 100. Additionally or alternatively, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 may receive identification information orcommunication service subscription information of the second electronicdevice 200 together with the provisioning-related information.

The service device 400 provides a base-station-based communicationservice to the first electronic device 100 in which a communicationprofile is installed. For example, the service device 400 may be adevice of a service provider that provides a communication service.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first electronic device 100 includes a firstcommunication interface 110, a first input/output module 120, a firstmemory 130, a display 140, a first eUICC (or a first secure element)150, and a first control module 160.

The first communication interface 110 supports a communication functionof the first electronic device 100. For example, the first communicationinterface 110 establishes at least one of a communication channel to thesecond electronic device 200, a communication channel to the serverdevice 300, and a communication channel to the service device 400.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a provisioningprofile is stored, the first communication interface 110 may establishcommunication channels to the second electronic device 200 and theserver device 300. If the provisioning profile does not exist, the firstcommunication interface 110 establishes a communication channel to thesecond electronic device 200. In relation to the above-mentionedcommunication channel establishment, the first communication interface110 includes a first communication module 111 and a second communicationmodule 112.

The first communication module 111 establishes a communication channelto the second electronic device 200. For example, the firstcommunication module 111 may establish a short-range communicationchannel to the second electronic device 200, while being adjacent to thesecond electronic device 200. The first communication module 111 mayinclude, for example, a Bluetooth communication module, a Wi-Fi directcommunication module, a radio frequency identification (RFID)communication module, a ZigBee communication module, or the like. Thefirst communication module 111 may also include a wired communicationmodule for performing a wired connection to the second electronic device200.

The second communication module 112 establishes a communication channelto the service device 400 using a base station. The second communicationmodule 112 establishes a communication channel to the server device 300using a base station. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, when a communication profile is installed in the firstelectronic device 100, the second communication module 112 establishes acommunication channel to the service device 400, which is capable ofproviding a call service, through a mobile communication network orthrough an Internet network. For example, the second communicationmodule 112 may support various cellular communication methods such as3G/4G, long term evolution (LTE), or the like. In relation to operationof the second communication module 112, a communication profile may berequired. When the communication profile is not installed in the firstelectronic device 100, but a provisioning profile is installed, thesecond communication module 112 may access the server device 300 alone.

The first memory 130 includes at least one of an operating system, aprogram, or data related to support of a function of the firstelectronic device 100. The first memory 130 stores data related to aprovisioning screen interface provided in a provisioning state.

The display 140 outputs various screens related to operation of thefirst electronic device 100. For example, the display 140 outputs astandby screen, a home screen, a specific function execution screen, alock screen or the like of the first electronic device 100. According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 140 outputs aprovisioning UI. The provisioning UI may include, for example,information indicating whether a provisioning profile is stored or isactivated or whether a communication profile is installed or isactivated. Furthermore, the provisioning UI may include an icon or amenu item for performing provisioning. According to various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the provisioning UI may output codeinformation (e.g., a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, or the like)including provisioning-related information.

The display 140 may have a limited output environment according to thetype of the first electronic device 100. For example, when the firstelectronic device 100 is a wearable device, the display 140 may onlyoutput a text or an image having up to a specified maximum size.Therefore, a part of the provisioning UI may output to the display 140,and the other part of the provisioning UI may be output through thesecond electronic device 200. Alternatively, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure, when the first electronic device100 is a note-type or pad-type device, the display 140 may have a sizeat least equal to a size of a screen of the second electronic device200.

The first eUICC 150 is an area where profiles related to communicationservice operation of the first electronic device 100 are stored. Forexample, the first eUICC 150 stores a first provisioning profile 151.The provisioning profile 151 is used to receive a communication profile,for example, a first mobile network operator (MNO) profile 153. Thefirst provisioning profile 151 (or a storage area in the first eUICC 150or the first control module 160) includes address information on theserver device 300 to be accessed for performing registration related touse of a communication service or address information on thesubscription support server device 301. Furthermore, the first eUICC 150includes unique identification information (e.g., eUICC ID (EID)). Thefirst MNO profile 153 is a communication profile that may be obtainedfrom the server device 300 using the first provisioning profile 151. Thefirst electronic device 100 accesses the service device 400 using thefirst MNO profile 153. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the first eUICC 150 may not be equipped with the firstprovisioning profile 151.

The first control module 160 processes and transfers data related tocommunication profile operation of the first electronic device 100, andprocesses a function related to the subscription support server device301. For example, the first control module 160 may check whether acommunication profile is stored in the first electronic device 100,during a booting process or the booting process is completed after powersupply is performed. Alternatively, the first control module 160 maycheck whether the communication profile is stored in the firstelectronic device 100 when requesting a communication service using thesecond communication module 112.

When the communication profile is not stored in the first electronicdevice 100 or downloading of a new communication profile is requested,the first control module 160 checks whether the first provisioningprofile 151 exists in the first eUICC 150. The first control module 160performs control so that the first MNO profile 153 is downloaded usingthe first provisioning profile 151. In controlling download of the firstMNO profile 153, the first control module 160 may use at least one ofthe screen UI or the communication function of the second electronicdevice 200. When neither the communication profile nor the firstprovisioning profile 151 is stored in the first electronic device 100,the first control module 160 performs a provisioning procedure relatedto communication profile installation using the communication functionof the second electronic device 200.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosuremay include a first communication module for establishing acommunication channel to an adjacent external electronic device, asecond communication module for supporting a communication service basedon a base station, and a control module for performing control so as toobtain a communication profile required for operating the secondcommunication module that supports the communication service based onthe base station using the external electronic device connected throughthe first communication module.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosuremay include a memory for storing information related to communicationservice operation and a processor connected to the memory, wherein theprocessor may establish a communication channel to an externalelectronic device adjacent to the electronic device, and may collect acommunication profile required for operating a communication servicebased on a base station through the external electronic device.

As described above, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an electronic device (e.g., a first electronic device)according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a firstcommunication module for establishing a communication channel to anexternal electronic device on the basis of wired communications orshort-range communications, a control module for performing control soas to obtain a communication profile required for operating a secondcommunication module that supports a communication service based on abase station using the external electronic device connected through thefirst communication module, and a memory such as a secure storage areaor an eUICC for storing the communication profile obtained.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may output (or display), through the external electronic device,at least a portion of subscription support information required forobtaining the communication profile.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may receive the subscription support information and transfer thesubscription support information to the external electronic device, ormay allow the external electronic device to receive and output thesubscription support information.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may receive selection information on a service contract option ora communication profile selected from the subscription supportinformation received from the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that subscription request informationcorresponding to the selection information is transmitted to asubscription support server device that has provided the subscriptionsupport information.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that provisioning-related information istransmitted to the subscription support device on the basis of aprovisioning profile stored in relation to access to the subscriptionsupport server device that supports subscription for the communicationservice based on the base station.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that the provisioning-related informationis transmitted to the subscription support server device via theexternal electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that at least one of information onexistence of a provisioning profile related to access to thesubscription support server device that supports subscription for thecommunication service based on the base station and information onwhether the communication profile is stored is output.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that a specified normal UI is output ifthe provisioning profile exists, or a specified provisioning UI relatedto proceeding with a provisioning procedure is output if theprovisioning profile does not exist.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that a specified image or specified codeinformation corresponding to the provisioning-related information forproceeding with the provisioning procedure is output if the provisioningprofile exists.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosuremay include a communication module for establishing a communicationchannel to a peripheral device on the basis of wired communications orshort-range communications and a control module for checking whether acommunication profile for operating a communication service of theperipheral device is stored, wherein, if the communication profile doesnot exist, the control module may activate a provisioning supportfunction of the peripheral device and may control an operation relatedto installation of the communication profile of the peripheral device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that information on whether at least oneof the communication profile or a provisioning profile used forinstalling the communication profile is stored is output.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that a UI required for obtaining thecommunication profile of the peripheral device is output.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may receive information related to the communication profile fromthe peripheral device to output the information, or may receive theinformation related to the communication profile from a server devicefor supporting the communication service to process the information.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so as to transmit, to the peripheral device,communication service selection information selected from a UIcorresponding to the information related to the communication profile inresponse to a user input.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so as to transmit the communication serviceselection information to the server device for supporting subscriptionfor the communication service.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so as to transmit provisioning-relatedinformation of the peripheral device to a subscription support serverdevice for supporting communication service subscription, using acommunication module for using a communication service based on a basestation.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that a message received from aprovisioning server device for generating or providing the communicationprofile is transferred to the peripheral device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that the message received is convertedinto a format supported by a communication standard used for aconnection to the peripheral device, and then is transferred thereto.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that the communication profile is receivedfrom the provisioning server device and is transferred to the peripheraldevice.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may perform control so that a Bluetooth (BT) subscriberidentification module (SIM) access profile (AP) (BT SAP) connection tothe peripheral device is established.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule may control operation of a second UICC manager related toinstallation of the communication profile of the peripheral device,while operating a first UICC manager for operating a communicationservice of the control module.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the secondUICC manager may support establishment of a secure channel between theperipheral device and a server device that supports installation of thecommunication profile, using a transmission control protocol (TCP)-basedcommunication channel to the server device and a subscriberidentification module access profile (SAP)-based communication channelto the peripheral device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the secondUICC manager may receive application protocol data unit (PDU) (APDU)data from the peripheral device and may transmit the APDU data to theserver device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a resourcefor the second UICC manager may be returned when downloading of datarelated to the communication profile is completed or the communicationprofile is activated.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a firstelectronic device in relation to a communication profile according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure

Referring to FIG. 3, when an event occurs, the first electronic device100 determines whether the event is related to a request forinstallation of a communication profile (e.g., the first MNO profile153) in step S301. If the event is not related to installation of thefirst MNO profile 153, the first electronic device 100 may perform afunction according to the type of the event in step S303. For example,according to the type of the event, the first electronic device 100 mayexecute an application that supports a healthcare function or maysupport playback of a stored file. In step S303, when the communicationprofile is not installed, the first electronic device 100 may output ascreen UI related to a request for downloading the first MNO profile153.

If the event is related to a request for installation of the first MNOprofile 153, the first electronic device 100 searches for a peripheraldevice (e.g., the second electronic device 200) in step S305. Forexample, the first electronic device 100 performs a Bluetooth scanningoperation. The first electronic device 100 outputs, to the display 140,peripheral device information obtained through the scanning operation.Alternatively, if a peripheral device that has been most recentlyconnected or a peripheral device that has not been connected isdiscovered, the first electronic device 100 may attempt to establish acommunication channel to the peripheral device on the basis of the firstcommunication module 111. Alternatively, the first electronic device 100may output a peripheral device list, and may attempt to establish acommunication channel to a peripheral device selected by a user on thebasis of the first communication module 111.

In step S307, the first electronic device 100 checks whether the firstelectronic device 100 is connected to the peripheral device. Forexample, the first electronic device 100 may check whether acommunication channel to the peripheral device (e.g., the secondelectronic device 200) is established through the first communicationmodule 111. If there is no connection to the peripheral device orconnection thereto fails, steps S309 and S311 are skipped, and theprocess proceeds to step S313.

If the peripheral device is connected, in step S309, the firstelectronic device 100 sends a request the peripheral device to providean MNO profile (e.g., the communication profile or the first MNO profile153). In relation to step S309, the first electronic device 100 mayprovide, to the peripheral device, the provisioning-related informationstored in the first provisioning profile 151. In response to aprovisioning performance request from the first electronic device 100,the peripheral device may establish a communication channel to theserver device 300 and requests subscription support information on thebasis of the provisioning-related information. In step S309, theperipheral device may transmit, to the server device 300, a messageincluding information indicating that an operation entity of thecommunication profile is the first electronic device 100.

The server device 300 may generate, on the basis of theprovisioning-related information, the communication profile to beoperated in the first electronic device 100. For example, thesubscription support server device 301 may transfer, to the peripheraldevice, the subscription support information related to generation ofthe communication profile. Upon receiving subscription requestinformation (e.g., information indicating a selection of an option fromthe subscription support information or communication profile typeselection information) from the peripheral device, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 provides the provisioning-related informationand the subscription request information to the provisioning serverdevice 303. The provisioning sever device 303 generates, on the basis ofthe received pieces of information, the communication profile to beoperated in the first electronic device 100, and transfers thecommunication profile to the first electronic device 100. In step S311,the provisioning server device 303 may transfer the communicationprofile to the first electronic device 100 via the peripheral device(e.g., the second electronic device).

Accordingly, in step S311, the first electronic device 100 obtains anMNO profile for using the service device 400. The first electronicdevice 100 stores the MNO profile (e.g., the first MNO profile 153 orthe communication profile) in the first eUICC 150. The first electronicdevice 100 may support a communication service through access to theservice device 400 on the basis of the MNO profile stored in the firsteUICC 150.

In step S313, the first electronic device 100 determines whether anevent related to termination of a profile installation function occurs.If an event related to termination of the profile installation functionoccurs, the first electronic device 100 terminates the profileinstallation function. For example, when the first electronic device 100is not connected to the peripheral device, the process returns to stepS305 so that the first electronic device 100 may re-perform step S305and the following operations. Alternatively, after the communicationprofile is installed, the process may return to step S301 according to auser input so that the first electronic device 100 may re-perform stepS301 and the following operations. In this manner, the first electronicdevice 100 obtains a plurality of communication profiles.

As described above, the first electronic device 100 may install acommunication profile using the peripheral device. For example, when thefirst electronic device 100 is a watch-type wearable device, the firstelectronic device 100 may operate the first control module (e.g., aneSIM service manager module) when being supplied with power, so as todetermine whether provisioning is required on the basis of whether acommunication profile (e.g., an MNO profile) that is available for acurrent location is installed in an eUICC. If it is determined that theprovisioning is required, the first control module (e.g., an eSIMservice manager module) of the first electronic device 100 may provide aprovisioning UI, and may perform connection preparation (e.g., turningon Wi-Fi, NFC, BT, or the like with respect to the first communicationmodule 111). Furthermore, the first electronic device 100 may connect tothe second electronic device 200, according to a user's selection.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if therealready is communication profile that is available already exists or theprovisioning through the peripheral device is completed, the firstcontrol module 160 (e.g., an eSIM service manger module) of the firstelectronic device 100 may provide a UI related to execution of a normalfunction (e.g., a UI or the like including communication-service-relatedicons, set information, or icons related to execution of specificapplications) instead of the provisioning UI. In this operation, thefirst electronic device 100 may support a communication service via theservice device 400 using the second communication module 112 and theinstalled communication profile.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second electronic device 200 includes a secondcommunication interface 210, a second input/output module 220, a secondmemory 230, a touch screen 240, a second eUICC (or a second secureelement) 250, and a second control module 260. Additionally oralternatively, the second electronic device 200 may include a SIM slotand a SIM card inserted thereinto, instead of the second eUICC.Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to theabove-described configuration of the second electronic device 200, butmay have any structure enabling access to the subscription supportserver device 301.

The second communication interface 210 supports a communication functionof the second electronic device 200. For example, the secondcommunication interface 210 may establish a communication channel to thefirst electronic device 100, the server device 300, and/or the servicedevice 400. The second communication interface 210 includes a thirdcommunication module 213 and a fourth communication module 214.

The third communication module 213 establishes a communication channelto the first electronic device 100. For example, the third communicationmodule 213 supports a communication standard compatible with the firstcommunication module 111. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the third communication module 213 may be a wiredcommunication module or a short-range wireless communication module. Forexample, the third communication module 213 may be a Bluetoothcommunication module, a Wi-Fi communication module, or the like. Thethird communication module 213 receives a provisioning support requestmessage from the first electronic device 100 through a communicationchannel to the first electronic device 100. In response to completion ofprovisioning, the third communication module 213 transfers acommunication profile to the first electronic device 100. Alternatively,in relation to provisioning, the third communication module 213transfers, to the first electronic device 100, a specific-type message(For example, type 2 SMS message) provided by the server device 300.

The fourth communication module 214 establishes a communication channelto the server device 300 or a communication channel to the servicedevice 400. The fourth communication module 214 may support abase-station-based communication service such as a 3G/4G or LTEcommunication service. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the fourth communication module 214 receives various typesof short messages.

The second input/output module 220 supports an input function or anaudio output function related to operation of the second electronicdevice 200. For example, the second input/output module 220 may includea key input unit such as a volume control key button, a home button, apower button, or the like. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the second input/output module 220 generates, according to auser input, an input signal for activating the third communicationmodule 213, an input signal for issuing instructions to establish acommunication channel to the first electronic device 100, or an inputsignal related to entry into or release of a provisioning support state.Furthermore, the second input/output module 220 may generate, accordingto a user input, an input signal for selecting a specific item from asubscription support screen provided by the server device 300.

The second memory 230 stores various data, at least one program, or anoperating system related to operation of the second electronic device200. The second memory 230 may include, for example, external electronicdevice discovery information. The external electronic device discoveryinformation may include, for example, information indicating whether acommunication profile of a discovered external electronic device (e.g.,the first electronic device 100) is stored in the second electronicdevice 200. Furthermore, the second memory 230 may include, for example,screen interface information for supporting provisioning of the firstelectronic device 100.

The touch screen 240 outputs various screens related to operation of thesecond electronic device 200. For example, the touch screen 240 mayoutput a standby screen, a home screen, or the like. Furthermore, thetouch screen 240 may output a screen corresponding to peripheralscanning by the third communication module 213, output a screendisplaying a list of discovered external electronic devices, or output ascreen displaying information corresponding to a state of a connectionbased on the third communication module 213. Furthermore, the touchscreen 240 may output a screen related to reception of a provisioningsupport request message from the first electronic device 100.Furthermore, the touch screen 240 may output a screen for a state wherethe server device 300 is accessed, a subscription support screen, or thelike. The touch screen 240 includes a display panel for displaying ascreen and a touch panel for receiving an input. The touch screen 240may have a larger screen size than a screen size of the display 140 ofthe first electronic device 100 (e.g., when the first electronic device100 is a wearable electronic device) or smaller than that of the display140 of the first electronic device 100 (e.g., when the first electronicdevice 100 is an electronic note-type device or an electronic pad-typedevice).

The second eUICC 250 stores a profile related to communication serviceoperation of the second electronic device 200. For example, the secondeUICC 250 stores a second provisioning profile 251 and a second MNOprofile 253. The second provisioning profile 251 is related toinstallation of a communication profile of another communication serviceprovider that supports a communication service in another area where thesecond electronic device 200 is not currently positioned. The secondprovisioning profile 251 may not be stored in the second eUICC 250according to design of the second electronic device 200 or a servicesubscribed for. The second MNO profile 253 is required to access theserver device 300 or the service device 400 at a current location.According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the secondeUICC 250 may not be equipped with the second provisioning profile 251.

The second control module 260 processes or transfers data or signalsrelated to operation of the second electronic device 200. For example,the second control module 260 may perform a function of discovering thefirst electronic device 100 or a function of processing a provisioningsupport request received from the first electronic device 100 whilebeing connected thereto. Furthermore, the second control module 260 mayhandle transfer of the provisioning-related information of the firstelectronic device 100 received during a provisioning support requestprocess, output of a subscription support screen, or transfer ofsubscription request information.

Furthermore, the second control module 260 provides specificsubscription request information associated with the first and secondelectronic devices 100 and 200 to the server device 300 according to auser input. The specific subscription request information may include,for example, information indicating a selection of a forwardingswitching service for each situation or a combined rate payment systemor discounted rate payment system for the first and second electronicdevices 100 and 200. The second control module 260 checks deviceinformation of the first electronic device 100 connected in relation toprovisioning, and supports at least one of a communication function or ascreen UI function according to a characteristic of the deviceinformation of the first electronic device 100. Here, when the firstelectronic device 100 is a wearable electronic device, the secondcontrol module 260 supports both the communication function and thescreen UI function during a provisioning performing process. When thefirst electronic device 100 is an electronic note device or electronicpad device, the second control module 260 supports communicationfunctions alone during the provisioning performing process.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a second control module according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the second control module 260 includes a connecteddevice checking module 261 and a profile installation support module263.

The connected device checking module 261 activates the thirdcommunication module 213 in response to a user input. The connecteddevice checking module 261 performs peripheral scanning using the thirdcommunication module 213, and collects information regarding discoveredexternal electronic devices (e.g., the first electronic device 100). Inthis operation, the connected device checking module 261 outputs a listof the discovered external electronic devices to the touch screen 240.The connected device checking module 261 determines whether acommunication profile available for a current location exists in aspecified external electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device100) or an external electronic device satisfying a specific condition(e.g., an electronic device that has been recently connected or has notbeen connected). To this end, the connected device checking module 261transmits, to at least one discovered external electronic device, amessage for inquiring about existence of a communication profile. Theconnected device checking module 261 outputs identification informationof an external electronic device that does not have a communicationprofile. If an event in which the identification information is selectedoccurs, the connected device checking module 261 transfers theidentification information to the profile installation support module263.

The profile installation support module 263 supports installation of acommunication profile of an external electronic device (e.g., the firstelectronic device 100). To this end, the profile installation supportmodule 263 receives, from the connected device checking module 261,identification information of an external electronic device in which acommunication profile is not installed. The profile installation supportmodule 263 establishes a communication channel to the first electronicdevice 100, and may receive provisioning-related information from thefirst electronic device 100. The profile installation support module 263determines the accessed server device 300 through theprovisioning-related information. The profile installation supportmodule 263 manages provisioning support-related information (e.g., asubscription support server address or policy information) inassociation with the subscription support server device 301. The profileinstallation support module 263 updates the provisioning support-relatedinformation using the subscription support server device 301. Theprofile installation support module 263 sends a request to the serverdevice 300 to generate a communication profile for the externalelectronic device. To this end, the profile installation support module263 provides, to the server device 300, the identification informationof the external electronic device in which the communication profile isto be installed.

If information related to a subscription support screen is received fromthe server device 300, the profile installation support module 263outputs the received information. If at least one service item isselected according to a user input, the profile installation supportmodule 263 provides the service item, as subscription requestinformation, to the server device 300. According to various embodimentsof the present disclosure, if a service item to be subscribed for inassociation with an external electronic device and the second electronicdevice 200 is selected according to a user input, the second electronicdevice 200 provides, to the server device 300, the identificationinformation of the second electronic device 200 and the identificationinformation of the external electronic device as the subscriptionrequest information. If a communication profile is received from theserver device 300, the profile installation support module 263 transfersthe communication profile to the external electronic device.

The profile installation support module 263 includes a communicationfunction support module 264 and a UI support module 266. If acommunication channel to the first electronic device 100 is established,and the first electronic device 100 does not have a communicationprofile, the communication function support module 264 checks whether aprovisioning profile exists in (i.e., is stored in) the first electronicdevice 100. If the provisioning profile exists, the communicationfunction support module 264 collects provisioning-related information.Thereafter, the communication function support module 264 handlestransfer of the provisioning-related information, reception ofinformation related to a subscription support screen, transfer ofsubscription request information, or transfer of a communicationprofile. If the provisioning profile does not exist in (i.e., is notstored) in the first electronic device 100, the communication functionsupport module 264 checks whether the second communication module 112exists. If the second communication module 112 exists, the communicationfunction support module 264 performs access to the server device 300 onthe basis of information according to a user input or specifiedinformation. Furthermore, the communication function support module 264may supports transmission/reception of signals related to installationof a communication profile.

If a communication channel to an external electronic device does nothave a communication profile is established, the UI support module 266collects device information of the first electronic device 100. The UIsupport module 266 checks the device information to determine whether adisplay characteristic of the external electronic device is less thanthat of the UI support module 266. For example, the UI support module266 determines whether a display size of the first electronic device isless than a size of the UI support module 266. If the displaycharacteristic of the external electronic device is lower than that ofthe UI support module 266, the UI support module 266 may output at leasta portion of a provisioning UI and a subscriptions support screen.

As described above, the second control module 260 (e.g., an eSIM servicemanger module) of the second electronic device 200 determines whether aUI of the second control module should be provided in order to supportprovisioning of an external electronic device (e.g., a companion deviceor the first electronic device 100). If it is determined that provisionof the UI is required, the second control module 260 executes ordownloads a specific application on the basis of information receivedfrom the external electronic device. Furthermore, the second controlmodule 260 accesses a specific website, a specific server device, or thelike to provide a UI for provisioning. For example, various applicationssuch as respective applications for each of provision of profiles foreach of AT&T, TMO (T-Mobile), and Samsung, or the like are installed inthe second electronic device 200. If provider information received fromthe external electronic device indicates AT&T, the second electronicdevice 200 executes the application for AT&T profile provision tosupport installation of a communication profile of the externalelectronic device.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of a second controlmodule according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a second control module 280 includes a connecteddevice checking module 281 and an installation support module 283. Atleast one of the connected device checking module 281 and a UI supportmodule 298 perform operations that are similar to or the same as thoseof the connected device checking module 261 or the UI support module266. Therefore, further descriptions of the connected device checkingmodule 281 and the UI support module 289, which overlap with the abovedescriptions of the connected device checking module 261 and the UIsupport module 266, are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theinstallation support module 283 includes a UICC management module 285, acommunication function support module 287, and the UI support module289.

Like the communication function support module 264, the communicationfunction support module 287 provides a data connection for exchangingdata packets with the server device 300. Additionally or alternatively,the communication support function module 287 provides a SIM accessprofile (SAP) connection of the first electronic device 100 through thethird communication module 213 in relation to installation of an MNOprofile of the first electronic device 100. Furthermore, thecommunication function support module 287 establishes a data channel tothe server device 300 through the SAP in response to a bearerindependent protocol (BIP) connection request from the first eUICC 150of the first electronic device 100. Accordingly, the communicationfunction support module 287 establishes a communication channel to theserver device 300 on the basis of the fourth communication module 214,and is connected to the first electronic device 100 on the basis of theSAP.

If an event related to installation of an MNO profile occurs, the UICCmanagement module 285 sends an SAP connection request to the firstelectronic device 100 via the communication function support module 287.In relation to sending the SAP connection request, the UICC managementmodule 285 receives an input signal for a request for discovering andconnecting the first electronic device 100 from the connected devicechecking module 281 or a user input. The UICC management module 285remotely controls the first eUICC 150 of the first electronic device 100using a SAP connection. For example, if the SAP connection isestablished, the UICC management module 285 turns on/off or resets thefirst eUICC 150 as necessary. Furthermore, in relation to generation ofthe MNO profile, the UICC management module 285 generates an applicationPDU (APDU) command and transmits the APDU command to the first eUICC150. For example, the UICC management module 285 transfers an SMSrelated to generation of the MNO profile to the first eUICC 150, ortransfers a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) response received fromthe server device 300 to the first eUICC 150. Furthermore, in responseto an APDU request transmitted from the first eUICC 150, the UICCmanagement module 285 sends a request to the communication functionsupport module 287 to establish a communication connection to the serverdevice 300. Alternatively, in response to the APDU request of the firsteUICC 150, the UICC management module 285 transmits, to the serverdevice 300, data received from the first eUICC 150. In this manner, theUICC management module 285 controls operation of the first eUICC 150 sothat a profile may be installed in the same manner as the manner forinstalling an eUICC (e.g., the second eUICC 250) included in the secondelectronic device 200.

As described above, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the second electronic device 200 includes a thirdcommunication module 213 for establishing a communication channel on thebasis of wired communications or short-range communications, and asecond control module 260 for determining whether at least one of acommunication profile or a provisioning profile related to installationof the communication profile required for communication serviceoperation of a first electronic device 100 connected through the thirdcommunication module 213 is stored. In this operation, if thecommunication profile does not exist, the second control moduleactivates a provisioning support function of the first electronic device100, and may control an operation related to installation of thecommunication profile of the external electronic device.

In this operation, the second control module controls so thatinformation indicating whether at least one of the provisioning profileor the communication profile is stored is output.

The second control module 260 performs control so that a screen UI(e.g., subscription support information, or a subscription supportscreen) required for obtaining the communication profile of the externalelectronic device is output.

The second control module 260 receives information related to thecommunication profile (e.g., subscription support information) from thefirst electronic device 100 to output the information, or receives theinformation related to the communication profile (e.g., subscriptionsupport information) from a server device for supporting thecommunication service (e.g., a subscription support server device). Inreceiving the information related to the communication profile, thesecond control module outputs the information related to thecommunication profile as specified UI information (e.g., a screen UI, anaudio UI, or the like).

The second control module 260 performs control so that communicationservice selection information corresponding to selection of an itemincluded in the subscription support information is transmitted to thefirst electronic device 100.

The second control module 260 performs control so as to transmit thecommunication service selection information to the server device (e.g.,a subscription support server device) for supporting subscription forthe communication service.

The second control module 260 performs control so thatprovisioning-related information about the provisioning profile isreceived from the first electronic device 100, and a subscriptionsupport server device that supports subscription for the communicationservice is accessed using the provisioning-related information received.

The control module 260 performs control so as to transmit theprovisioning-related information to a subscription support server devicefor supporting communication service subscription, using a communicationmodule that supports a base-station-based communication service (e.g., afourth communication module).

The second control module 260 performs control so that a messagereceived from a provisioning server device for providing thecommunication profile is transferred to the first electronic device 100.

The second control module 260 performs control so that the messagereceived is converted into a format supported by a communication moduleconnected to the first electronic device 100, and then is transferredthereto.

The second control module 260 performs control so that the communicationprofile is received from the provisioning server device and istransferred to the first electronic device 100.

The second control module 260 performs control so that additionalinformation (e.g., provider information, a phone number for receiving anSMS message, information on a service being used, a rate payment system,a terminal location, or the like) for requesting a communication serviceitem associated with the first electronic device 100 is added to theprovisioning-related information so as to be transmitted to thesubscription support server device.

The second control module 260 performs control so that a BT SAPconnection to the first electronic device 100 is established.

The second control module 260 controls operation of a second UICCmanager related to installation of the communication profile of thefirst electronic device 100, while operating a first UICC manager foroperating a communication service of the second control module.

The second UICC manager supports establishment of a secure channelbetween the first electronic device 100 and a server device thatsupports installation of the communication profile, using a TCP-basedcommunication channel to the server device and a SAP-based communicationchannel to the external electronic device.

The second UICC manager receives APDU data from the first electronicdevice 100 and transmits the APDU data to the server device.

A resource for the second UICC manager is returned when downloading ofdata related to the communication profile is completed or thecommunication profile is activated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a secondelectronic device in relation to a communication profile according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step S601, the second electronic device 200determines whether the first electronic device 100 is connected thereto.If the first electronic device 100 is not connected to the secondelectronic device 200, the second electronic device 200 may support afunction according to a user input or a function according to a presetschedule in step S603.

If the first electronic device 100 is connected to the second electronicdevice 200, the second electronic device 200 determines whetherinstallation of an MNO profile of the connected first electronic device100 is required in step S605. In relation to determining whetherinstallation of an MNO profile is required, the second electronic device200 receives, from the first electronic device 100, a request related toinstallation of the MNO profile (e.g., the communication profile).Alternatively, the second electronic device 200 may send, to the firstelectronic device 100, a query message for inquiring whether the MNOprofile is installed, so as to determine whether installation of the MNOprofile is required. If installation of the MNO profile is not required,the second electronic device 200 supports a function for a state inwhich the first electronic device 100 is connected, in step S607. Forexample, the second electronic device 200 transfers, to the firstelectronic device 100, a file, file playback information, or the likereceived from the outside.

If installation of the MNO profile is required, the second electronicdevice 200 checks device information of the connected first electronicdevice 100, in step S609. The device information of the connected firstelectronic device 100′ may include information indicating the type ofthe connected first electronic device 100. For example, the deviceinformation of the connected first electronic device 100 may includeinformation regarding a processor included in the connected device,display information, audio module information, or the like. The secondelectronic device 200 determines whether the connected first electronicdevice 100 includes a display, an audio module, or the like, and/ordetermines whether the display has at least a specific size.

In step S611, the second electronic device 200 supports at least one ofa communication function or a UI function according to the deviceinformation. For example, the second electronic device 200 supports theUI function when the connected first electronic device 100 does not havea display with at least equal to the specified size or a UI supportrequest is received from the connected device. In relation to support ofthe UI function, the second electronic device 200 outputs variousscreens required during provisioning of the connected first electronicdevice 100. For example, the second electronic device 200 outputs atleast one of a screen of access to the server device 300, a subscriptionsupport screen, a communication profile download screen, or acommunication profile installation completion screen. The secondelectronic device 200 supports the communication function when theconnected first electronic device 100 has a display with at least thespecified size. While supporting the communication function, the secondelectronic device 200 transfers provisioning-related informationreceived from the connected first electronic device (e.g., a companiondevice or the first electronic device 100) to the server device 300, andmay add information of the second electronic device 200 (e.g., providerinformation, a phone number for receiving an SMS message, information ona service being used, a rate payment system, a device location, or thelike) to the provisioning-related information according to a situationso as to transfer the information of the second electronic device 200 tothe server device 300. For a profile download trigger of the connecteddevice, the second electronic device 200 may transfer informationthereof (e.g., mobile station international subscriber directory number(MSISDN), international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), temporarymobile subscriber identity (TMSI), or the like) to the server device300, and may relay a message (e.g., a type-2 SMS message) received fromthe server device 300 to the connected device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the secondelectronic device 200 establishes a communication channel to the serverdevice 300 or the service device 400 using the fourth communicationmodule 214, and supports transmission/reception of signals forsupporting provisioning of the connected device. For example, the secondelectronic device 200 may establish a Wi-Fi or BT connection to theconnected device through the third communication module 213, and mayaccess the server device 300 via a cellular network using the fourthcommunication module 214 so that the connected device is connected tothe server device 300. Here, the connected first electronic device 100is provided with the cellular network of the second electronic device200, so as to directly communicate with the server device 300. In thiscase, the second electronic device 200 may not perform addition ofadditional information (e.g., provider information, a phone number forreceiving an SMS message, information on a service being used, a ratepayment system, a device location, or the like). The second electronicdevice 200 performs the above-mentioned signal transmission/receptionfor supporting the communication function through background processing.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the firstelectronic device 100 (or the connected device) outputs a provisioningUI in relation to provisioning. Here, the provisioning UI may include aQR code. When the second electronic device 200 obtains the QR code byusing a camera or the like, or is connected to the first electronicdevice 100 through NFC tagging, or receives a provisioning supportrequest from the first electronic device 100, the second electronicdevice 200 may activate a provisioning support function so as to supportprovisioning of the first electronic device 100. In the above-describedoperation of receiving a provisioning UI from the first electronicdevice 100, the second electronic device 200 may receive, from the firstelectronic device 100, information as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Determi- Device UI provision nation information Display requestresult 1 Large screen Yes No information Not provide type 2 1st watchtype Yes (limited UI) Provision Provide required 3 2nd watch type Yes(UI with Provision not Not provide specific size) required 4 Wristwearable Yes No information Provide type 5 M2M sensor None Noinformation/ Provide type not required

If the second electronic device 200 receives the information of itemnumber 1 from the first electronic device 100, the second control module260 (e.g., an eSIM service manager module) of the second electronicdevice 200 determines that the first electronic device 100 is able toindependently provide a UI since there is no information about a UIprovision request and the first electronic device 100 is alarge-screen-type device. Accordingly, the second electronic device 200provides a communication function alone without providing a UI. If theinformation of item number 2 is received from the first electronicdevice 100, the second control module 260 of the second electronicdevice 200 may provide at least a portion of a UI related toprovisioning of the first electronic device 100 through the touch screen240 since the first electronic device 100 makes a UI provision request,even though the first electronic device 100 is provided with a display.If the information of item number 3 is received from the firstelectronic device 100, the second control module 260 of the secondelectronic device 200 may not provide a UI since the informationindicates that the first electronic device 100 is able to provide a UIwith at least a predetermined size and UI provision is not requested oris not necessary. If the information of item number 4 is received fromthe first electronic device 100, the second control module 260 of thesecond electronic device 200 may provide a UI thereof since the firstelectronic device 100 does not make a request for information regardingUI provision or is a specific type (e.g., wrist wearable type) of adevice even though the first electronic device 100 is provided with adisplay. If the information of item number 5 is received from the firstelectronic device 100, the second control module 260 of the secondelectronic device 200 provides a UI thereof, since the device type is asensor type, even though the information indicates that there is noinformation on UI provision or UI provision is not necessary.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for operating a secondelectronic device in relation to a communication profile according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step S701, the second electronic device 200receives a message from the server device 300. For example, if thesecond electronic device 200 transmits subscription request informationfor the first electronic device 100, to the server device 300, whileperforming a provisioning support function for the first electronicdevice 100, the second electronic device 200 may receive a specifiedmessage from the server device 300. Alternatively, the second electronicdevice 200 may transmit, to the server device 300, the subscriptionrequest information in relation to a provisioning function of the secondelectronic device 200, and may receive a message corresponding to thesubscription request information. Furthermore, the second electronicdevice 200 may receive, from the server device 300, a message related toa wireless environment or a certain period.

In step S703, the second electronic device 200 determines whether thereceived message has a specified type (i.e., whether the message type isincluded in at least one predetermined message type). For example, thesecond electronic device 200 may determine whether the received messageis a message (e.g., an SMS-type message such as SMS type-2 or SMS-PPdata download) received for communication with a SIM from the serverdevice 300 (e.g., the provisioning server device 303).

If the message has the specified type, the second electronic device 200determines whether a current state is a provisioning support state instep S705. If the current state is not the provisioning support state orthe message does not have the specified type in step S703, the secondelectronic device 200 performs a message reception process in step S707.For example, the second electronic device 200 may output a messagereception notification. The second electronic device 200 outputs thereceived message through the touch screen 240.

If the current state is the provisioning support state, the secondcontrol module 260 (e.g., an eSIM service manager module) of the secondelectronic device 200 relays the message to the first electronic device100 without transferring the message to a SIM of the second controlmodule 260 in step S709.

Here, the control module 260 of the second electronic device 200 mayconvert the format of the message so that the message is compatible witha communication standard used for a connection to the first electronicdevice 100. After converting the format of the message, the secondelectronic device 200 transmits the message to the first electronicdevice 100. The first electronic device 100 may convert the messagereceived from the second electronic device 200 so that the message iscompatible with a UI of the first electronic device 100. For example,the first electronic device 100 may convert the message into a messageformat (e.g., an SMS format) supported by the first electronic device100, and may transfer the converted message to an eUICC of the firstelectronic device 100. In this step, the first electronic device 100establishes a secure channel to the provisioning server device 303 onthe basis of contents of the message transferred to a SIM (e.g., UICC,eUICC, or eSIM) of the first electronic device 100.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, while theprovisioning support function of the second electronic device 200 isactivated, an SMS-type message for communicating with the SIM of thesecond electronic device 200 may be received from the provisioningserver device 303 or the service device 400. In this case, the secondelectronic device 200 may transfer the message to the first electronicdevice 100. When the SIM (e.g., UICC or eUICC) of the first electronicdevice 100 determines that the received message is not intended to besent to the SIM of the first electronic device 100 on the basis of thecontents of the message, the SIM of the first electronic device 100 mayreturn the message to the second electronic device 200 with or withoutadding, to the message, information indicating that the message is notintended for the SIM of the first electronic device 100. The secondelectronic device 200 checks the message received from the firstelectronic device 100. If the second electronic device 200 determinesthat the message is the same SMS message as the SMS message transmittedfrom the second electronic device 200 to the first electronic device 100or the second electronic device 200 detects the information indicatingthat the message is not intended for the first electronic device 100,the second electronic device 200 may transfer the SMS message to the SIM(e.g., UICC or eUICC) of the second electronic device 200 so that theSMS message is processed.

When downloading of a communication profile of the first electronicdevice 100 through the secure channel is completed, the first electronicdevice 100 notifies the second electronic device 200 of completion ofprovisioning. When the second electronic device 200 is notified of thecompletion of provisioning, the second electronic device 200 deactivatesthe provisioning support function. After the provisioning supportfunction is deactivated, the second electronic device 200 transfers areceived SMS-type message (e.g., SMS type-2 or SMS-PP data download) tothe SIM of the second electronic device 200 to process the SMS-typemessage, without transferring the SMS-type message to the firstelectronic device 100. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the second electronic device 200 may detect, through amonitoring operation, that a session for downloading a profile isterminated in response to completion of downloading of the communicationprofile of the first electronic device 100 through the secure channel.Alternatively, the second electronic device 200 may receive, from theprovisioning server device 303, a notification regarding sessiontermination. When the session termination is confirmed, the secondelectronic device 200 deactivates a provisioning support mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the server device 300 includes a servercommunication module 310, a server memory 330, and a server controlmodule 360. The server device 300 is included in each of thesubscription support server device 301 and/or the provisioning serverdevice 303. For example, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, each of the subscription support server device 301 or theprovisioning server device 303 includes a server communication module310, a server memory 330, and a server control module 360.Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the subscription support server device 301 and theprovisioning server device 303 may be designed and operated as oneserver device.

The server communication module 310 of the subscription support serverdevice 301 establishes a communication channel to the second electronicdevice 200. For example, the server communication module 310 of thesubscription support server device 301 establishes a communicationchannel to the fourth communication module 214 of the second electronicdevice 200. The server communication module 310 of the provisioningserver device 303 establishes a communication channel to thesubscription support server device 301. For example, the servercommunication module 310 of the provisioning server device 303establishes a communication channel to the subscription support serverdevice 301 by a wired connection or wirelessly. The server communicationmodule 310 of the provisioning server device 303 receives subscriptionsupport information from the subscription support server device 301.

The server memory 330 of the subscription support server device 301stores information related to a subscription support screen. When thesubscription support server device 301 is connected to the secondelectronic device 200, the subscription support server device 301provides the information related to the subscription support screen tothe second electronic device 200. If subscription request informationgenerated in response to selection of a service item from thesubscription support screen is received from the second electronicdevice 200, the server memory 330 of the subscription server device 301stores the subscription request information temporarily orsemipermanently. The subscription request information is transferred tothe provisioning server device 303. The server memory 330 of theprovisioning server device 303 stores the subscription supportinformation received from the subscription support server device 301.Furthermore, the provisioning server device 303 may temporarily orsemipermanently store a communication profile generated on the basis ofthe subscription request information. The communication profile isprovided to the first electronic device 100.

The server control module 360 of the subscription support server device301 handles provision of a subscription support screen. For example, ifthe second electronic device 200 is connected to the subscriptionsupport server device 301, the server control module 360 of thesubscription support server device 301 determines whether a currentstate is a provisioning support state for the first electronic device100 or a provisioning performing state for the second electronic device200. In relation to this operation, while accessing the subscriptionsupport server device 301, the second electronic device 200 provides aguide message for allowing the subscription support server device 301 todetermine whether the access by the second electronic device 200 is forsupporting provisioning or for performing provisioning. Alternatively,after being connected to the subscription support server device 301, thesecond electronic device 200 provides a notification about theprovisioning support state or the provisioning performing state.

The server control module 360 of the subscription support server device301 provides different subscription support screens according to aprovisioning state (e.g., the provisioning support state or theprovisioning performing state) of the second electronic device 200. Forexample, if a current state is the provisioning support state, theserver control module 360 of the subscription support server device 301provides a subscription support screen for service subscription of thefirst electronic device 100 or a subscription support screen forassociated service subscription of the first and second electronicdevices 100 and 200. If the current state is the provisioning performingstate, the server control module 360 of the subscription support serverdevice 301 provides a subscription support screen for servicesubscription of the second electronic device 200. The subscriptionsupport screens may include one or more different service items providedaccording to a device type of an electronic device. For example, thesubscription support screen for the first electronic device 100 mayinclude a voice call service item, a streaming service item, ahealthcare service item, or the like. The subscription support screenfor the second electronic device 200 may include a voice or video callservice item, a data communication service item, a cloud service item,or the like.

As the subscription support screen is provided, the server controlmodule 360 of the subscription support server device 301 collectssubscription request information from the second electronic device 200.The subscription request information collected is temporarily stored inthe server memory 330 of the subscription support server device 301. Thesubscription request information includes service selection iteminformation, communication service-related information of the firstelectronic device 100 (e.g., unique identification information of thefirst electronic device 100), communication service-related informationof the second electronic device 200 (e.g., added when an associatedservice subscription request is made), or communication profile typeinformation. The server control module 360 of the subscription supportserver device 301 transfers the subscription request information to theprovisioning server device 303.

The server control module 360 of the provisioning server device 303establishes a communication channel to the subscription support serverdevice 301, and generates a communication profile on the basis of thesubscription request information provided from the subscription supportserver device 301. As described above, the communication profileincludes various information required for an electronic device to accessthe service device 400. The server control module 360 of theprovisioning server device 303 may establish a secure channel to thefirst electronic device 100 if the communication profile is generated.Alternatively, the server control module 360 of the provisioning serverdevice 303 may establish a secure channel to the first electronic device100 via the second electronic device 200. If the secure channel isestablished, the server control module 360 of the provisioning serverdevice 303 transmits the generated communication profile to the firstelectronic device 100.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using acommunication function of a second electronic device in relation to acommunication profile according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the first electronic device 100 has the first provisioningprofile 151 stored in the first eUICC 150. The first provisioningprofile 151 is a profile designed to enable access to a specific serviceprovider network for provisioning. When the first electronic device 100already includes the first provisioning profile 151 when the firstelectronic device 100 is booted, the first electronic device 100performs a communication service subscription using a modem function ofthe second electronic device 200 associable with the first electronicdevice 100. If the first electronic device 100 does not have the firstprovisioning profile 151, the first electronic device 100 outputs anotification message to a display of the first electronic device 100 soas to induce a user to perform a provisioning procedure.

For example, the first electronic device 100 may output, to a screen, amessage (e.g., a pop-up message) for requesting an approval to performthe provisioning procedure, and, if a user approval button is selectedby the user, the first electronic device 100 activates a short-rangecommunication module (e.g., a BT or Wi-Fi module) so that the secondelectronic device 200 capable of providing a display screen and a userUI is connected in step S901.

When the first electronic device 100 is connected to the secondelectronic device 200, the first electronic device 100 transfers, to thesecond electronic device 200, provisioning-related information of thefirst electronic device 100 (e.g., device information (IMEI or thelike), SIM identification information (eUICC-ID (EID)), serveridentification information (e.g., an ID of the relevant SM-SR (SRID))required for provisioning, a server connection address (IP or HTTPaddress), or the like), in step S903.

The second electronic device 200, after receiving, theprovisioning-related information, provides a screen for provisioning ofthe first electronic device 100 by executing a pre-installed programcode or an application installed for supporting provisioning. In stepS905, the second electronic device 200 accesses a server device (e.g., aprovisioning server device 303, a subscription support server device301, a service device, or the like) for provisioning of the firstelectronic device 100 on the basis of information such as serveridentification information and a specific server connection address, andthen transfers the device information, the SIM identificationinformation, and the like of the first electronic device 100 to theserver device so as to request a communication profile.

Accordingly, in step S907, the second electronic device 200 receives,from the subscription support server device 301, a list of communicationprofiles that allow subscription through the first electronic device100.

In step S909, the second electronic device 200 outputs a communicationprofile that is differentiated according to a nation where the firstelectronic device 100 is located among the communication profiles in thelist. The nation where the first electronic device 100 is currentlylocated may be determined on the basis of a mobile country code (MCC)value of a network accessed through the fourth communication module 214of the second electronic device 200 or location information measuredusing a GPS module, a Wi-Fi module, or a cell of the first electronicdevice 100 (or at least one of the first electronic device 100 or thesecond electronic device 200).

A method for outputting the differentiated communication profiles mayinclude a method in which nation items located within a certain distancefrom the location information or related with the location information,among items in the communication profile list received from thesubscription support server device 301, are displayed on an upperportion of the list. Furthermore, the method for outputting thedifferentiated communication profiles may include a method in whichitems related to the location information are highlighted or displayeddifferently from other items (e.g., displayed with different color,different font, or different size) or a method in which an image or atext of each nation is displayed adjacent to an area where the itemsrelated to the location information are displayed.

The second electronic device 200 may provide, to the touch screen 240, asubscription support screen or menu including nation information,provider information, service contract option information, priceinformation, or the like. Accordingly, a user may select a specificoption, may perform filtering, or may perform sorting (e.g., in anascending or descending order) of the menu options.

The options may include a contract option that may include a prepaid SIMpurchase option, a stipulated payment option, an option of selecting aperiod of a contract of use of SIM based on a specific provider, acircuit service (CS) selection option, a packet data service (PS)selection option, an LTE service selection option, or an option ofselecting a specific network (e.g., a code division multiple access(CDMA) network, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network,third-generation (3G), or a wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) network).Furthermore, the contract option may include an option of selecting aservice for using the same telephone number as that of the secondelectronic device 200 (e.g., 1 number-2 SIM service), an option ofselecting a multi-number use service (e.g., 2 number-2 SIM service), oran option of selecting an integrated service for integrating a pluralityof electronic devices into one account. Furthermore, the contract optionmay include an option regarding whether to combine a communicationservice rate with a service account and a payment account of the secondelectronic device 200 or set an additional account and an additionalpayment account for the communication service rate.

If the user selects a specific communication profile and contract optionfrom the subscription support screen, the second electronic device 200transfers subscription request information including correspondingselection information to the subscription support server device 301 thathas provided the communication profile list in step S911. Then, in stepS913, the subscription support server device 301 sends, to theprovisioning server device 303, a request for generating a communicationprofile based on the subscription request information. Meanwhile, instep S915, the second electronic device 200 transfers the selectioninformation to the first electronic device 100.

The provisioning server device 303 that has received the subscriptionrequest information to be used for the first electronic device 100generates and encrypts a communication profile to be used in the firstelectronic device 100 and the eUICC, and sends a session trigger messageto the first electronic device 100 so as to allow the first electronicdevice 100 to make a profile download request in step S917. In stepS919, the first electronic device 100, after receiving the message,sends a profile download request to the provisioning server device 303so that a secure channel may be established between the first electronicdevice 100 and the provisioning server device 303. In step S921, thefirst electronic device 100 downloads the communication profile to aspecific memory area in the eUICC.

In step S923, the first electronic device 100 may access the servicedevice 400 and undergoes an authentication procedure usingauthentication information and subscription information of thedownloaded communication profile, so as to perform a networkregistration process. As the network registration process is performed,the first electronic device 100 is provided with a provider service towhich the user is subscribed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using a UIfunction of a second electronic device in relation to a communicationprofile according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first electronic device 100 outputs aprovisioning UI according to a provisioning procedure, and establishes acommunication channel to the second electronic device 200 using ashort-range communication module (e.g., a BT or Wi-Fi module) accordingto a user input, in step S1001.

If the first electronic device 100 is connected to the second electronicdevice 200, the second electronic device 200 provides a screen forprovisioning of the first electronic device 100 by executing anapplication or a program code installed in the second electronic device200, in step S1003. Alternatively, in step S1005, data of the firstelectronic device 100 is provided to the second electronic device 200 sothat the data is used as a UI compatible with a display screen of thesecond electronic device 200 or is processed by the second electronicdevice 200 according to a user input.

In step S1007, the first electronic device 100, using the deviceinformation and SIM identification information of the first electronicdevice 100, accesses, for provisioning, the subscription support serverdevice 301 using server identification information and a serverconnection address. The first electronic device 100 receives, from thesubscription support server device 301, a list of MNO profiles thatallow subscription of the first electronic device 100. The receivedcommunication profile list is transferred to the second electronicdevice 200 through the short-range communication connection. In stepS1009, the second electronic device 200 outputs a communication profiledifferentiated according to a nation where the first electronic device100 is located among the communication profiles in the list. Todetermine the nation whether the first electronic device 100 is located,location information of the second electronic device 200 or locationinformation provided from the first electronic device 100 to the secondelectronic device 200 may be used. Furthermore, in a similar manner tostep S909 of FIG. 9, the second electronic device 200 provides, onto thetouch screen 240, a configuration menu including nation information,provider information, contract option information, price information, orthe like so that the user is able to select a specific option, performfiltering, or perform an ascending/descending sort. If the user selectsa specific communication profile and contract option from thesubscription support screen of the second electronic device 200, thesecond electronic device 200 transfers subscription request informationcorresponding to the selected information to the first electronic device100.

In step S1011, the first electronic device 100 may transfer, to thesubscription support server device 301, the subscription requestinformation provided from the second electronic device 200. Thesubscription support server device 301, after receiving the subscriptionrequest information related to the first electronic device 100,transfers the subscription request information to the provisioningserver device 303 in step S1013. The provisioning sever device 303generates and encrypts a communication profile to be used in a specificdevice (e.g., the first electronic device 100) and eUICC.

In step S1015, the provisioning server device 303 sends a sessiontrigger message to the first electronic device 100 so that the firstelectronic device 100 is able to make a profile download request. Thefirst electronic device 100, after receiving the message, sends aprofile download request to the provisioning server device 303 so that asecure channel can be established between the first electronic device100 and the provisioning server device 303 in step S1017. In step S1019,the communication profile is downloaded to a specific memory area in theeUICC of the first electronic device 100.

In step S1021, the first electronic device 100 accesses the servicedevice 400 and undergoes an authentication procedure usingauthentication information and subscription information of thedownloaded communication profile, so as to complete a registrationprocess and receive a provider service.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals among devicesrelated to a communication profile according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11A, in relation to installation of a communicationprofile, the first electronic device 100 performs a provisioningtrigger, in step S1101. For example, the first electronic device 100 mayoutput a provisioning UT to wait for selection by a user, may output atleast a portion of the provisioning UI through the second electronicdevice 200, or may output guide information or code information relatedto provisioning to a display so as to induce a user to establish acommunication channel to the second electronic device 200.

In step S1103, a communication channel, through use of a short-rangecommunication module, is established between the first electronic device100 and the second electronic device 200. When the communication channelis established, the first electronic device 100 transfers firstelectronic device information (e.g., provisioning-related information)to the second electronic device 200, in step S1105. In step S1107, thesecond electronic device 200 presents a provisioning screen. Theprovisioning screen is a screen output to the touch screen 240 of thesecond electronic device 200 to support provisioning of the firstelectronic device 100. In this step, the second electronic device 200accesses the subscription support server device 301 usingprovisioning-related information.

In step S1109, the second electronic device 200 sends a request for acommunication profile list (e.g., an MNO profile list) related to thefirst electronic device 100, to the subscription support server device301. In step S1111, the second electronic device 200 receives therequested communication profile list (MNO profile list) from thesubscription support server device 301. Here, the received communicationprofile list (MNO profile list) may include a plurality of profile items(e.g., profiles 1 to N). The plurality of profile items may includeprofile items related to providers of services that can be provided tothe first electronic device 100. In step S1113, the second electronicdevice 200 outputs the received communication profile list (MNO profilelist). In step S1115, the second electronic device 200 collectsinformation indicating a user selection of a specific communicationprofile (e.g., MNO profile k from among profiles 1 to N).

In step S1117, the second electronic device 200 transmits subscriptionrequest information to the subscription support server device 301. Here,the subscription request information includes specific communicationprofile selection information (e.g., MNO profile k) and contractinformation (e.g., contract option selection information) according tothe user selection. In step S1118, the second electronic device 200transfers subscription information corresponding to the subscriptionrequest information, to the first electronic device 100. In step S1119,the subscription support server device 301 sends, to the provisioningserver device 303, a request for generating a communication profilecorresponding to the specific communication profile selectioninformation (e.g., MNO profile k) selected for the first electronicdevice 100.

In step S1121, the provisioning server device 303 may generate thecommunication profile (e.g., MNO profile k) for the first electronicdevice 100. In step S1123, the provisioning server device 303 mayperform session triggering (over the air (OTA) session triggering) tothe first electronic device 100. In step S1125, the first electronicdevice 100 sends a profile download request to the provisioning serverdevice 303. Accordingly, in step S1127, a secure channel is establishedbetween the first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device200.

In step S1129, the provisioning server device 303 allows the firstelectronic device 100 to download a communication profile. In stepS1131, the first electronic device 100 activates the receivedcommunication profile so as to access the service device 400. In stepS1133, the first electronic device 100 performs communication profilenetwork registration and authentication, and uses a communicationservice provided by the service device 400.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating another example of a flow of signalsamong devices related to a communication profile according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11B, in relation to installation of a communicationprofile, the first electronic device 100 enters a provisioning state, instep S1151. For example, the first electronic device 100 outputs aprovisioning UI, and enters a BT SAP server mode (or function), when anevent related to a provisioning request occurs. While the firstelectronic device 100 performs the BT SAP server function, the secondelectronic device 200 displays a provisioning execution screen accordingto control input from a user, in step S1153. The second electronicdevice 200 is connected to a BT SAP server of the first electronicdevice 100 in relation to provisioning. Thereafter, the first eUICC 150of the first electronic device 100 may be directly controlled by thesecond electronic device 200 (e.g., by the UICC management module 285).In step S1155, the second electronic device 200 controls the first eUICC150 of the first electronic device 100 according to a BT SAP standard inaddition to the UICC or eUICC included in the second electronic device200. Through the above-described operations, a BT-SAP-basedcommunication channel is established between the first and secondelectronic devices 100 and 200.

When the BT-SAP-based communication channel is established, the secondelectronic device 200 transmits an APDU command to the first electronicdevice 100 to request provisioning-related information of the firstelectronic device 100, in step S1157. Upon receiving a request for theprovisioning-related information from the second electronic device 200via the BT SAP channel, the first electronic device 100 transfers theprovisioning-related information to the second electronic device 200 inresponse to the request, in step S1159. The provisioning-relatedinformation may include an eUICC ID (EID), and may further includeadditional information such as IMEI according to a design method or aprotocol definition. In step S1161, the second electronic device 200presents a downloadable MNO profile list or a contract option (e.g., 1number-2 SIM service contract option, 2 number-2 SIM service contractoption, data-only service contract option, or the like) so that a useris able to select a specified MNO profile or contract option. Output ofthe MNO profile list or selection of an MNO profile or contract optionmay be performed in a similar manner to or the same manner as stepsS1109 to S1115 described above with reference to FIG. 11A.

When an MNO profile is selected, the second electronic device 200 sendsan MNO profile download request to the subscription support serverdevice 301 in step S1163. Information transmitted with the downloadrequest may include, for example, the type of the selected MNO profileor contract option contents, the profile-related information of thefirst electronic device 100 (e.g., EID or IMSI) received in step S1159,or an master ID for identifying subscription information of the secondelectronic device 200, such as MSISDN. In step S1165, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 transfers, to the provisioning server device303, the download request received from the second electronic device200. Here, the master ID may include SMS reception information (MSISDN)of the second electronic device 200 so that the provisioning serverdevice 303 is able to send an SMS push request to the second electronicdevice 200.

In step S1167, the provisioning server device 303 generates thecommunication profile (MNO profile) for the first electronic device 100.In step S1169, the provisioning server device 303 performs sessiontriggering (OTA session triggering) to the second electronic device 200.Here, a session triggering message may include EID information of thefirst electronic device 100 so as to be transferred to the first eUICC150 connected through the first electronic device 100.

In step S1171, the second electronic device 200 transmits, to the firsteUICC 150 of the first electronic device 100, a received SMS pushmessage through SMS-PP download APDU (International Organization forStandardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)7816-4). In step S1173, the first eUICC 150 of the first electronicdevice 100 may send an open channel APDU including an address of aprovisioning service device to the second electronic device 200 so thatthe second electronic device 200 may establish a TCP connection to theprovisioning server device 303. Thereafter, the first electronic device100 may load data to be transferred to the provisioning server device303 on the APDU to be transferred to the second electronic device 200 soas to transfer the data via the TCP connection between the secondelectronic device 200 and the provisioning server device 303 (refer tothe biometric application programming interface (API) (BioAPI)interworking protocol (BIP)). In step S1175, the first eUICC 150 of thefirst electronic device 100 establishes a secure channel to theprovisioning server device 303 on the basis of the TCP connectionestablished in step S1173.

If the secure channel is established, in step S1177, the first eUICC 150of the first electronic device 100 transmits an empty HTTP request (HTTPpost) to the provisioning server device 303, and, in step S1179, theprovisioning server device 303 transmits, to the first electronic device100, an APDU command for downloading an MNO profile as an HTTP response.Thereafter, when MNO profile downloading is completed by repeating theabove-mentioned HTTP post/response, the first electronic device 100activates the MNO profile, in step S1181. In step S1183, if necessary,the second electronic device 200 may reset the first eUICC 150 of thefirst electronic device 100 (e.g., in response to a user request,occurrence of an error in the MNO profile, or occurrence of an errorwhile activating the MNO profile). If the MNO profile is activated inthe first electronic device 100, the second electronic device 200 mayrelease the BT SAP connection to the first electronic device 100 in stepS1185. In step S1187, the first electronic device 100 may performcommunication profile network registration and authentication, and mayuse a communication service provided by the service device 400.

In the above-mentioned operations, the second control module 280 of thesecond electronic device 200 generates a plurality of instances relatedto the UICC management module 285. For example, the second controlmodule 280 generates (or include) a first UICC manager for managing thesecond eUICC 250 related to communication service operation of thesecond control module 280 and a second UICC manager for performingprovisioning of the first eUICC 150 of the first electronic device 100.While the second electronic device 200 provides a communication service(including a communication service provided by the second electronicdevice 200 and supporting provisioning with respect to the first eUICC150), the first UICC manager performs UICC (or eUICC) management. When arequest for provisioning of the first eUICC of the first electronicdevice 100 is made, the second UICC manager is uploaded to a controlmodule or is generated. The second UICC manager performs control of aprovisioning operation related to the first eUICC described above withreference to FIG. 11B. A resource of the second electronic device 200used in relation to the second UICC manager is returned when the MNOprofile of the first electronic device 100 is completely downloaded oractivated. In the above-described operations, the second UICC managercontrols the BT SAP connection to the first electronic device 100.Furthermore, the second UICC manager supports collection ofprovisioning-related information of the first electronic device 100,transfer of the provisioning-related information to a server device(e.g., a subscription support server device), establishment of a securechannel between the first electronic device 100 and a server device(e.g., a provisioning server device) after transmitting theprovisioning-related information, or processing of an APDU required fortransmitting an MNO profile.

Although, in the above-described example, the first electronic device100 is connected to the second electronic device 200 using the BT SAP,embodiments of the present are not limited thereto. For example, thefirst electronic device 100 may be connected to the second electronicdevice 200 through near field communication (NFC). In this embodiment,the first electronic device 100 may operate in an NFC card emulationmode, and the second electronic device 200 may operate as an NFC reader.The first and second electronic devices 100 and 200, while they areconnected to each other via NFC communication, perform datatransmission/reception on the basis of an APDU in a similar manner orthe same manner as that for the BT SAP. Accordingly, the first andsecond electronic devices 100 and 200 connected to each other via NFCcommunication perform MNO profile downloading through operations similarto those illustrated in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using atethering function of a second electronic device in relation to acommunication profile according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, a first electronic device 1200 (e.g., a tablet PC,a note PC, an electronic pad, a slate PC, or the like) is equipped withan eUICC (or another secure element), but is not equipped with aprovisioning profile. In step S1201, the first electronic device 1200attempts to establish a short-range communication channel (e.g., acommunication channel using Wi-Fi, BT, NFC, or the like) to the secondelectronic device 200 connectable to the subscription support serverdevice 301 to download a communication profile.

When the first electronic device 1200 is enabled to access thesubscription support server device 301 based on the connection to thesecond electronic device 200, the first electronic device 1200 sends arequest for subscription support information to the subscription supportserver device 301 using a communication function of the secondelectronic device 200 in step S1202. Here, the first electronic device1200 sends additional information, such as EID, IMEI, SRID, locationinformation of the first electronic device 1200, or manufacturerinformation of the first electronic device 1200 together with aninformation request message for requesting the subscription supportinformation. The communication function of the second electronic device200 is a tethering function using a communication function forconnecting the first electronic device 1200 to the third communicationmodule 213 and a communication function for connecting the server device300 or the service device 400 to the fourth communication module 214.

The subscription support server device 301, which has received thesubscription support information request, transfers, to the firstelectronic device 1200, subscription support information (e.g., a listof profiles currently downloadable by the first electronic device 1200)generated in consideration of the additional information using thetethering function of the second electronic device 200, in step S1203.In step S1205, the first electronic device 1200 transfers, to thesubscription support server device 301, a user's subscription requestinformation generated automatically or generated according to a userselection using the tethering function of the second communicationmodule 112.

Upon receiving the subscription request information, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 transfers, to the provisioning server device303, a message for requesting generation of or downloading of a profile,in step S1209. In step S1211, the provisioning server device 303, whichhas received the message, establishes a secure channel to the firstelectronic device 1200 via the second electronic device 200. The firstelectronic device 1200 downloads a communication profile through thesecure channel established.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals based on informationprocessing of a second electronic device in relation to a communicationprofile according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the second electronic device 200 supports processingadditional subscription information, in addition to the tetheringfunction described above with reference to FIG. 12. In step S1301, afirst electronic device 1300, which is not equipped with a provisioningprofile, performs initialization as power is supplied to the firstelectronic device 1300. The first electronic device 1300 may performconnection to the second electronic device 200 according to a user inputor a set schedule.

When the first electronic device 1300 is connected to the secondelectronic device 200, the first electronic device 1300 transfersprovisioning-related information to the second electronic device 200 instep S1303. Upon receiving the provisioning-related information, thesecond electronic device 200 sends a request for subscription supportinformation to the subscription support server device 301 based on theprovisioning-related information in step S1305. Here, the secondelectronic device 200 additionally sends, to the subscription supportserver device 301, information, such as current location information ofthe second electronic device 200 or information regarding a provider towhich the second electronic device 200 subscribes. In step S1307, thesubscription support server device 301 transfers, to the secondelectronic device 200, subscription support information (e.g., an MNOprofile list) corresponding to the additional information provided fromthe second electronic device 200. For example, when the additionalinformation provided from the second electronic device 200 includesinformation indicating a specific provider for which the secondelectronic device 200 subscribes, the subscription support server device301 transfers, to the second electronic device 200, subscription supportinformation matched to the provider (e.g., an MNO profile list of theprovider). In step S1309, the second electronic device 200 transfers, tothe first electronic device 1300, the subscription support informationreceived from the subscription support server device 301.

In step S1311, the first electronic device 1300 outputs the receivedsubscription support information, and generates subscription requestinformation automatically or manually, in response to user selection. Instep S1313, the first electronic device 1300 transmits the subscriptionrequest information to the second electronic device 200. In step S1315,the second electronic device 200 transmits the subscription requestinformation to the subscription support server device 301. According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the second electronic device200 adds, to the subscription request information generated by the firstelectronic device 1300, information for issuing instructions tointegrate the first electronic device 1300 and the second electronicdevice 200 into a multi-device and device information (e.g., IMEI, IMSI,serial number, or the like) of the second electronic device 200 requiredfor integrating the first electronic device 1300 and the secondelectronic device 200, and transmits the subscription requestinformation to the subscription support server device 301 in step S1315.The second electronic device 200 also transmits, to the subscriptionsupport server device 301, the subscription request information to whichinformation for requesting that the first electronic device 1300 and thesecond electronic device 200 should have the same telephone number(e.g., MSISDN) and a telephone number of the second electronic device200 are added.

The subscription support server device 301, which has received thesubscription request information, sends a request to generate ordownload a profile to the provisioning server device 303, in step S1317.In step S1319, a secure channel is established between the firstelectronic device 1300 and the provisioning server device 303 via thesecond electronic device 200, and a communication profile is downloadedbased on the secure channel.

In the above-described operations, while requesting the subscriptionsupport information, the second electronic device 200 sends a request tothe subscription support server device 301 to provide the subscriptionsupport information including an option of association with the firstelectronic device 1300. Accordingly, the subscription support serverdevice 301 transfers the subscription support information to the firstelectronic device 1300 via the second electronic device 200. Thesubscription support information includes service items (or contractoptions) that may be operated by the first electronic device 1300 aloneand service items (or contract options) that may be operated byassociating the first electronic device 1300 with the second electronicdevice 200. A user selects an MNO profile and contract options from asubscriptions support screen output to a display of the first electronicdevice 1300. According to the user's selection, the subscription requestinformation for requesting an associated service is transmitted to thesubscription support server device 301 via the second electronic device200 so that a communication profile corresponding to the subscriptionrequest information can be generated. According to various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the communication service items operated bythe first electronic device 1300 alone may be output to the display ofthe first electronic device 1300, and the communication service itemsassociated with the first electronic device 1300 and the secondelectronic device 200 may be output to the second electronic device 200.The user may select respective service items from the first electronicdevice 1300 and the second electronic device 200, and may make a requestfor subscription for desired communication services.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using a securechannel establishing function of a second electronic device in relationto a communication profile according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, in step S1401, a first electronic device 1400establishes a connection to the second electronic device 200 as power issupplied to the first electronic device 1400. When the second electronicdevice 200 is connected to the first electronic device 1400, the firstelectronic device 1400 transfers provisioning-related information to thesecond electronic device 200 in step S1403. In step S1405, the secondelectronic device 200 sends a request for subscription supportinformation to the subscription support server device 301 using theprovisioning-related information. In step S1407, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 transmits the subscription support informationto the second electronic device 200. In step S1409, the secondelectronic device 200 transmits the subscription support information tothe first electronic device 1400. In step S1411, the first electronicdevice 1400 outputs the subscription support information as a menu orconfiguration screen, and generates subscription request informationaccording to a user input. In step S1413, the first electronic device1400 transmits the subscription request information to the secondelectronic device 200. In step S1415, the second electronic device 200transfers the subscription request information to the subscriptionsupport server device 301. In this operation, the second electronicdevice 200 transfers a telephone number (e.g., an MSISDN) of the secondelectronic device 200 to the subscriptions support sever device 301 soas to receive a specified type of a message (e.g., a type 2 SMS) relatedto establishment of a secure channel. In step S1417, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 requests the provisioning server device 303 togenerate or download a profile.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theprovisioning server device 303 may generate a communication profile inresponse to the request to generate or download a profile received fromthe subscription support server device 301. Furthermore, when the firstelectronic device 1400 establishes a secure channel to the provisioningserver device 303 via the second electronic device 200, the provisioningserver device 303 sends a specific type of a message (e.g., an SMSmessage) to the second electronic device 200 so as to triggerestablishment of the secure channel.

In the present example, since the first electronic device 1400 does nothave a provisioning profile, the first electronic device 1400 cannot usea cellular network, and is thus unable to directly receive an SMS-typemessage. Since the first electronic device 1400, for which theprovisioning service device 303 will establish the secure channel, doesnot have a telephone number (e.g., an MSISDN), the provisioning serverdevice 303 is unable to send an SMS message to the first electronicdevice 1400. Accordingly, in step S1419, the provisioning server device303 transmits, to the second electronic device 200 connected to thefirst electronic device 1400, an SMS message for requestingestablishment of the secure channel, and, in step S1421, the secondelectronic device 200 transmits the received SMS message to the firstelectronic device 1400, so that the secure channel is established. Instep S1421, the second electronic device 200 converts the SMS message,so that the first electronic device 1400 is able to receive the SMSmessage (e.g., convert the type of the SMS message so that the SMSmessage is compatible with a communication standard (e.g., BT, Wi-Fi,NFC, or the like) used for a connection to the first electronic device1400). When the secure channel is established, the provisioning serverdevice 303 transmits the communication profile to the first electronicdevice 1400 in step S1423.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a flow of signals for using acommunication function and a UI function of a second electronic devicein relation to a communication profile according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, a first electronic device 1500 equipped with aneUICC may be an electronic device that is not equipped with aprovisioning profile and is not provided with a UI for a provisioningprocedure (e.g., an M2M device such as a sensor device, or a device thathas a small display, such as a watch or a band for which provision of aprovisioning-related UI is not allowed or is inappropriate). While thefirst electronic device 1500 is supplied with power, the firstelectronic device 1500 is connected to the second electronic device 200according to a user input or a set schedule in step S1501. As the firstelectronic device 1500 is connected to the second electronic device 200,the first electronic device 1500 transfers provisioning-relatedinformation to the second electronic device 200 in step S1503. In stepS1505, the second electronic device 200 transmits, to the subscriptionsupport server device 301, a subscription support information requestrelated to the first electronic device 1500 based on theprovisioning-related information received from the first electronicdevice 1500, or adds identification information of the second electronicdevice 200 to the subscription information request information so as totransmit the subscription request information request for requestingassociated service items to the subscription support server device 301.

In step S1507, the subscription support server device 301 may transfer,to the second electronic device 200, subscription support informationsuitable for the first electronic device 1500 in response to the requestfrom the second electronic device 200. Alternatively, the subscriptionsupport server device 301 may provide, to the second electronic device200, the subscription support information suitable for the firstelectronic device 1500 and the second electronic device 200 (e.g.,information including a communication service item enabling associationbetween the first electronic device 1500 and the second electronicdevice 200). The second electronic device 200 outputs the receivedsubscription support information so as to generate subscription requestinformation automatically or according to a user input. After thesubscription request information is generated, in step S1509, the secondelectronic device 200 transmits, to the first electronic device 1500,subscription information contained in the subscription requestinformation, the subscription information including contract optioninformation and communication profile type information selected by theuser input. Furthermore, in step S1511, the second electronic device 200also transmits the subscription request information to the subscriptionsupport server device 301.

The subscription support server device 301 updates a database of thesubscription support device 301 or another server device with thesubscription request information, and requests the provisioning serverdevice 303 to generate or download a profile, in step S1513. Uponreceiving the request to generate or download a profile, theprovisioning server device 303 establishes a secure channel to the firstelectronic device 1500 via the second electronic device 200, and maytransfer a communication profile via the channel in step S1515.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a provisioning UI of afirst electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16, in the present example, the first electronicdevice 100 has a limited display. The first electronic device 100 storesa communication protocol for accessing the service device 400 at acurrent location. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,as power is supplied to the display of the first electronic device 100or a display activation request signal is input thereto, the display ofthe first electronic device 100 outputs information in response toexecution of a specified function, as shown in a screen 1601. Forexample, the first electronic device 100 may display time information inresponse to execution of a watch function. Furthermore, the firstelectronic device 100 may output a menu item or icon items related toexecution of specified functions (e.g., a camera icon, a shoes icon, asetting icon, or the like).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when acommunication profile is not installed in the first electronic device100, the display of the first electronic device 100 may output codeinformation (QR code) corresponding to provisioning-related informationas shown in a screen 1603. For example, after being supplied with power,the first electronic device 100 determines whether a communicationprofile available for a current location is stored in the firstelectronic device 100, and, if a communication profile is not stored,the first electronic device 100 may automatically output the codeinformation to the display. Alternatively, if the communication profileis not stored, the first electronic device 100 may output an icon ormenu item related to provisioning, and may output the code informationin response to output of the icon or menu item.

In relation to output of the code information, the first control module(e.g., an eSIM service manager module) of the first electronic device100 may add, to the code information, not only information required forestablishing a short-range communication channel to the first electronicdevice 100 (e.g., an IP address, a MAC address, or the like for a Wi-Fior BT connection) but also information for provisioning (e.g., SRID,EID, or the like). Furthermore, the code information may includeinformation for requesting the second electronic device 200 to turn on aspecified communication module (e.g., a Wi-Fi or BT module). Here, thefirst electronic device 100 may turn on a communication modulecorresponding to the communication module of the second electronicdevice 200 requested to be turned on, and may be in a search standbystate. If the communication module of the second electronic device 200is turned on so as to connect the second electronic device 200 to thefirst electronic device 100, the second electronic device 200 supports aprovisioning procedure of the first electronic device 100 based oninformation received through the code information. According to variousembodiments of the present disclosure, a screen to which the codeinformation is output is removed from the display in response to aspecified button input or a specified touch input. If the codeinformation is removed, the first electronic device 100 performs afunction (e.g., a file playback function, a healthcare function, or thelike) other than a communication service.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when thefirst electronic device 100 does not store a communication profile or isrequired to perform provisioning, the first electronic device 100outputs guide information as shown in a screen 1605. The guideinformation may include, for example, information for requesting a userto tap a specified electronic device (e.g., the second electronic device200). The guide information may be automatically removed due to an NFCtapping motion of the second electronic device 200. Alternatively, theguide information may be removed in response to a user input.Alternatively, the guide information may be automatically removed afterbeing output for a specified time. If NFC tapping is performed with thesecond electronic device 200 while the guide information is output, NFCtap information of the first electronic device 100 including theprovisioning-related information is provided to the second electronicdevice 200 to thereby make a provisioning support request.

The provisioning UI of the first electronic device 100 notifies the userthat provisioning is required when the provisioning is required, andassists the user to perform the provisioning with ease. The firstelectronic device 100 may replace a menu or icon of a function thatrequires a cellular network with an icon or menu of another function soas to configure a UI differently from a normal UI for a state in which acommunication service is available, or may display the menu or icon ofthe function that requires the cellular network such that the menu oricon of the function that requires the cellular network is unable to beused.

Furthermore, as shown in the screens 1603 and 1605, in relation toprovisioning, the first electronic device 100 may provide a simple wayto connect the second electronic device 200 (e.g., specified buttoninput, specified gesture, specified QR code, specified instructiongeneration, or the like).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least onecommunication profile may be installed in the first electronic device100 in advance. When the communication profile is installed in advance,the first electronic device 100 outputs the provisioning UI according towhether a communication profile available for a current location exists.For example, if the communication profile available for the currentlocation exists, the normal UI is output as shown in the screen 1601,or, if a communication profile for the current location does not exist,the provisioning UI is output as shown in the screen 1603 or 1605. Here,the code information of the screen 1603 or the tap information of thescreen 1605 may include provisioning-related information (e.g., SRID,EID, IMEI, or the like).

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of a provisioning UIof a first electronic device according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, when a communication profile available for acurrent location is stored in the first electronic device 100, the firstelectronic device 100 outputs an icon 1710 of a call function throughshort-range communications, an icon 1720 of a call function through abuilt-in modem, and a setting icon 1730 together with time information,as shown in screen 1701.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the firstelectronic device 100, which requires provisioning, outputs screens asshown in screens 1703 to 1707. For example, as shown in the screen 1703,when provisioning is required, the first electronic device 100 mayreplace the icon 1720 of the call function through the built-in modemwith a recording icon 1740. According to another example in whichprovisioning is required, the first electronic device 100 may output acall disabled icon 1750 indicating that the call function of the icon1720 is not available as shown in the screen 1705. Furthermore, when thecall disabled icon 1750 is selected, information on a guide to startingthe provisioning or an icon for starting the provisioning may be output.According to another example in which provisioning is required, thefirst electronic device 100 may output code information 1760 related toa provisioning procedure instead of the icon 1720 of the call functionthrough the built-in modem as shown in the screen 1707. The codeinformation 1760 may include information required for establishing ashort-range communication connection required for performing theprovisioning procedure, or may include the information required forestablishing the short-range communication connection andprovisioning-related information. The code information 1760 may include,for example, specified virtual button information defined to perform theprovisioning procedure, specified gesture information, specified touchmotion information, NFC tap guide information, or the like.

As described above, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a method for operating an electronic device (e.g., a firstelectronic device) according to an embodiment of the present disclosureincludes establishing a communication channel to an external electronicdevice by using wired communications or short-range communications,obtaining a communication profile required for operating a secondcommunication module that supports a communication service based on abase station using the external electronic device connected, and storingthe obtained communication profile.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes outputting (or displaying), through the externalelectronic device, at least a portion of subscription supportinformation required for obtaining the communication profile.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, outputtingthe at least a portion of the required subscription support informationincludes at least one of receiving the subscription support informationto transfer the subscription support information to the externalelectronic device to output the subscription support information throughthe external electronic device, and receiving and outputting theexternal electronic device by the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes receiving selection information indicating a servicecontract option or a communication profile selected from thesubscription support information from the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes transmitting subscription request informationcorresponding to the selection information to a subscription supportserver device that has provided the subscription support information.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes transmitting provisioning-related information to thesubscription support device based on a provisioning profile related toaccess to the subscription support server device that supportssubscription for the communication service based on the base station.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodmay further include transmitting the provisioning-related information tothe subscription support server device via the external electronicdevice.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes at least one of outputting information indicatingwhether a provisioning profile related to access to the subscriptionsupport server device that supports subscription for the communicationservice based on the base station is stored in the electronic device andoutputting information indicating whether the communication profile isstored in the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes outputting a specified normal UI if the provisioningprofile is stored in the electronic device and outputting a specifiedprovisioning UI related to proceeding with a provisioning procedure ifthe provisioning profile is not stored in the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes outputting a specified image or specified codeinformation corresponding to the provisioning-related information forproceeding with the provisioning procedure if the provisioning profileexists.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen UI of a secondelectronic device related to provisioning according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18, the second electronic device 200 may outputvarious screens in response to a provisioning support request from thefirst electronic device 100 that requires provisioning. For example, thesecond electronic device 200 may perform peripheral scanning accordingto a setting, and may collect device information of at least oneexternal electronic device. When the device information is collected,the second electronic device 200 outputs a list of pieces of thecollected device information as shown in a screen 1801. In thisoperation, the second electronic device 200 determines whether thesecond electronic device 200 is required to install communicationprofiles of the external electronic devices. If the second electronicdevice 200 is required to install the communication profiles of theexternal electronic devices, the second electronic device 200 may outputvirtual key buttons for installing the communication profiles tospecified locations. For example, if a communication profile is notinstalled for a G-sensor item, the second electronic device 200 mayoutput a virtual key button (e.g., an installation button) forinstalling the communication profile (or supporting provisioning). Whenthe communication profile for enabling the external electronic device touse a communication service at a current location is installed, thesecond electronic device 200 may not output an additional virtual keybutton, or may provide a virtual key button (e.g., an additionalinstallation button) for installing another communication profileavailable for the current location such as a G-tab item.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if an installationbutton of a G-watch item is selected from the screen 1801, the secondelectronic device 200 establishes a communication channel to theexternal electronic device corresponding to a G-watch. When thecommunication channel is established, as shown in a screen 1803, thesecond electronic device 200 outputs guide information 1830 fornotifying the G-watch of completion of establishment of thecommunication channel, non-existence of a communication profile for theG-watch, and installation support for the G-watch. When a confirmationbutton is selected from the guide information 1830, the secondelectronic device 200 may perform provisioning support. If it isdetermined that the display of the first electronic device 100 is notsuitable for subscribing for a communication service (e.g., if a displayarea of the first electronic device 100 is not at least a specifiedsize), the second electronic device 200 provides a screen for proceedingwith a provisioning procedure as shown in a screen 1805. The screen 1805outputs subscription support information (or a subscription supportscreen) 1850 received from the subscription support server device 301 onthe basis of the provisioning-related information of the firstelectronic device 100. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, when an installation button is selected from the screen1801, the second electronic device 200 skips outputting the information1830 for requesting a confirmation on the establishment of thecommunication channel to the first electronic device 100 and theinstallation support, and outputs the subscription support information1850, as shown in the screen 1805. The user may select a contract optionrelated to communication service subscription from the screen 1805.

If selection of a communication profile type and a contract option iscompleted, the second electronic device 200 generates subscriptionrequest information corresponding to the selection, and transmits thesubscription request information to the subscription support serverdevice 301. The subscription support server device 301 sends a requestto the provisioning server device 303 to generate a profilecorresponding to the subscription request information and allowdownloading of the profile. The provisioning sever device 303 generatesthe communication profile related to the first electronic device 100,and transfers the communication profile to the first electronic device100 via the second electronic device 200. In this operation, the secondelectronic device 200 relays the communication profile to the firstelectronic device 100. While performing a relay function, the secondelectronic device 200 outputs progress information 1870 indicating acommunication profile download progress, as shown in a screen 1807. Whenthe first electronic device 100 directly establishes a secure channel tothe provisioning server device 303 to download the communicationprofile, since the first electronic device 100 is equipped with aprovisioning profile, the second electronic device 200 may skip theoutputting the progress information 1870.

The term “module”, as used herein, may refer to, for example, a unitincluding one of hardware, software and firmware or a combinationthereof. The term “module” may be interchangeably used with the terms“unit”, “logic”, “logical block”, “component” and “circuit”. The“module” may also refer to a minimum unit of an integrated component ormay be a part thereof. The “module” may be a minimum unit for performingone or more functions or a part thereof. A module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a module may include atleast one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic devicefor performing some operations, which are known or will be developed.

At least a part of devices (e.g., modules or functions thereof) ormethods (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be implemented as instructions stored in acomputer-readable storage medium in the form of a programming module.The instructions may be configured to perform establishing acommunication channel to an external electronic device on the basis ofwired communications or short-range communications, obtaining acommunication profile required for operating a second communicationmodule that supports a communication service based on a base stationusing the external electronic device connected, and storing thecommunication profile obtained.

A module or program module according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may include at least one of the above-mentionedelements, or some elements may be omitted or other additional elementsmay be added. Operations performed by the module, the program module orother elements according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be performed in a sequential, parallel, iterative orheuristic way. Furthermore, some operations may be performed in anotherorder or may be omitted, or other operations may be added.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a user isallowed to install a communication profile for communication serviceoperation in an electronic device without visiting an agency at whichthe user has purchased the electronic device. Furthermore, according tothe present disclosure, a communication profile for communicationservice operation may be obtained simply and easily regardless of placeor time.

Although, in above-described examples, a process of establishingprovisioning for the first electronic device 100 occurs in response toan event triggered in the first electronic device 100, according toalternative embodiments of the present invention, such a process may beperformed in response to a triggering event occurring in the secondelectronic device 200. Further, operations described as being performedby the first electronic device 100 in obtaining and configuringinformation related to establishing provisioning may be performed by thesecond electronic device 200, which may be performed based oninformation regarding the first electronic device provided to the secondelectronic device 200, in advance, from the first electronic device 100directly or indirectly, or from another source, such as direct userinput to the second electronic device 200.

Similarly, operations described as being performed internally by thesecond electronic device 200, or in response to user input, prior to thefirst electronic device 100 establishing communication with a basestation, may be performed by the first electronic device 100, and theresults of such operations may be provided back to the second electronicdevice 200, to perform communications with other network entities.

Any information specifically being described as being output ordisplayed (e.g. LED notification, sound, vibration, display notificationetc.) on either one of the first electronic device 100 or the secondelectronic device 200 may simultaneously or alternatively be output ordisplayed on the other one of the first electronic device 100 or thesecond electronic device 200. However, the manner in which thisinformation is output or displayed (including displaying only a portionof the information at the time) may be modified in order to suit theoutput or other display capabilities of each device.

Similarly, any user input specifically being described as providable toeither one of the first electronic device 100 or the second electronicdevice 200 may simultaneously or alternatively be providable to theother one of the first electronic device 100 or the second electronicdevice 200. However the manner in which this information is input may bemodified in order to suit the input capabilities of each device.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable device comprising: a display; anembedded subscription identification module (eSIM); a firstcommunication circuitry to establish a short-range communicationconnection; a second communication circuitry to establish a cellularcommunication connection; a memory to store provisioning informationcorresponding to the portable device; and a processor adapted to: basedat least in part on a state that a profile to be used to activate thecellular communication connection is not installed, display, on thedisplay, a provisioning user interface (UI) including at least one of amenu for allowing a user to trigger a connection to an externalelectronic device through the first communication circuitry or agraphical code, such that the external electronic device obtains the atleast part of the provisioning information from the portable device andestablishes another cellular communication connection between theexternal electronic device and a server corresponding to a cellularnetwork based on the at least part of the provisioning information;transmit a request for the profile to the external electronic device viathe short-range communication connection established between theportable device and the external electronic device using the firstcommunication circuitry, such that the request is to be transmitted tothe server corresponding to the cellular network via the anothercellular communication connection established between the externalelectronic device and the server; receive, via the external electronicdevice, the profile downloaded from the server, and store the profiledownloaded from the server in the eSIM; and activate the cellularcommunication connection based at least in part on the downloadedprofile.
 2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: determine whether the profile is stored in theeSIM after the portable device is powered on; and perform presenting ofthe provisioning user interface based at least in part on adetermination that the profile is not stored in the eSIM.
 3. Theportable device of claim 1, wherein the graphical code includes a quickresponse (QR) code.
 4. The portable device of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: display, on the display, an icon ormenu item related to provisioning when the profile is not installed, ordisplay, on the display, the graphical code in response to an output ofthe icon or menu item.
 5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein theshort-range communication connection and the other cellularcommunication connection form a secure channel between the portabledevice and the server, and wherein the processor is further adapted toreceive the profile via the secure channel.
 6. The portable device ofclaim 1, wherein the provisioning information comprises a subscriptionmanager secure routing identifier, an embedded universal integratedcircuit card identifier, an international mobile equipment identifier,an internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address,device type information or any combination thereof.
 7. The portabledevice of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to: receive,from the external electronic device, a message including firstinformation associated with the server or second information associatedwith the profile; and transmit the request based at least in part on thefirst information or the second information.
 8. The portable device ofclaim 1, wherein the first communication circuitry comprises a wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi) circuit or a Bluetooth circuit, and the secondcommunication circuitry comprises a cellular circuit.
 9. The portabledevice of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a wearabledevice.
 10. An electronic device comprising: an embedded subscriptionidentification module (eSIM); a first communication circuitry to supporta short-range communication connection; a second communication circuitryto support a cellular communication connection; a memory to storeprovisioning information corresponding to the electronic device; and aprocessor adapted to: establish, using the first communicationcircuitry, the short-range communication connection between theelectronic device and an external electronic device; receive a firstrequest for a profile to be used to activate the cellular communicationconnection to the external electronic device via the short-rangecommunication connection using the first communication circuitry; inresponse to the first request, transmit at least one portion of theprovisioning information to the external electronic device via theshort-range communication connection, such that a second request relatedto the provisioning information is to be transmitted to a servercorresponding to a cellular network via another cellular communicationconnection established between the external electronic device and theserver; obtain, from the external electronic device, at least a part ofa message received at the external electronic device from the server;based at least in part on the at least part of the message, establish asecure channel between the electronic device and the server using theshort-range communication connection and the another cellularcommunication connection; receive, using the secure channel, the profilefrom the server, and store the profile downloaded from the server in theeSIM.
 11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the eSIM is furtheradapted to be controlled by the external electronic device via theshort-range communication connection while the short-range communicationconnection is maintained, and wherein the short-range communicationconnection is released after the downloaded profile is activated, suchthat the eSIM is not to be controlled by the external electronic device.12. A portable device comprising: a display; an embedded subscriptionidentification module (eSIM); a first communication circuitry toestablish a short-range communication connection; a second communicationcircuitry to establish a cellular communication connection; a memory tostore provisioning information corresponding to the portable device; anda processor adapted to: determine whether a profile to be used toactivate the cellular communication connection is installed, and whenthe profile is not installed, display, on the display, a provisioninguser interface including at least one of a menu for allowing a user totrigger a connection to an external electronic device through the firstcommunication circuitry or a graphical code related to the provisioninginformation, wherein the provisioning user interface includesinformation for provisioning to obtain the profile.
 13. The portabledevice of claim 12, wherein the provisioning user interface includes atleast one of a subscription manager secure routing (SM-SR) identifier(SRID), an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) ID (EID),an international mobile equipment identify (IMEI), an internationalmobile subscriber identity (IMSI), or a serial number.
 14. The portabledevice of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:determine whether the profile is installed after the portable device ispowered on; and display, on the display, the provisioning user interfaceincluding the graphical code based at least in part on a determinationthat the profile is not installed.
 15. The portable device of claim 12,wherein the processor is further configured to: display, on the display,an icon or menu item related to provisioning when the profile is notinstalled.
 16. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the short-rangecommunication connection and the cellular communication connection forma secure channel between the portable device and the server, and whereinthe processor is further adapted to perform the receiving of the profilevia the secure channel.
 17. The portable device of claim 12, wherein theprovisioning information comprises a subscription manager secure routingidentifier, an embedded universal integrated circuit card identifier, aninternational mobile equipment identifier, an internet protocol (IP)address, a media access control (MAC) address, device type informationor any combination thereof.
 18. The portable device of claim 12, whereinthe processor is further adapted to: receive a message including firstinformation associated with the server or second information associatedwith the profile from the external electronic device; and transmit arequest based at least in part on the first information or the secondinformation.
 19. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the firstcommunication circuitry comprises a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) circuit ora Bluetooth circuit, and the second communication circuitry comprises acellular circuit.
 20. The portable device of claim 12, wherein theportable device comprises a wearable device.